Relationship Between Oxytocin Level, Trust, and Attachment in Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder

NCT06045650 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2060971
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 92
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

We aim to assess the baseline oxytocin levels in individuals with borderline personality disorder and correlate those levels with social behavior, and compare the results with controls. Primary Hypothesis (H1): There is a significant difference in trust-related behavior as measured by oxytocin (OXT) levels between borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients and healthy controls. Secondary Hypotheses: H2: The trust-related behavior in BPD patients is significantly influenced by their level of emotional sensitivity. Specifically, higher emotional sensitivity in BPD patients is associated with lower trust-related behavior and vice-versa. H3: There is a significant correlation between trust-related behavior and childhood trauma in BPD patients. BPD patients with higher levels of reported childhood trauma will exhibit lower trust-related behavior compared to those with lower levels of trauma. H4: Trust-related behavior in BPD patients varies depending on their attachment styles. Specifically, BPD patients with insecure attachment styles will exhibit lower trust-related behavior compared to those with secure attachment styles. H5: There is a significant correlation between trust-related behavior and BPD severity. Patients with more severe BPD symptoms will exhibit lower trust-related behavior compared to those with less severe symptoms. H6: The levels of OXT in BPD patients will significantly correlate with their reported levels of emotional sensitivity, childhood trauma, attachment styles, and BPD severity. These hypotheses aim to address the complexities surrounding the modulation of trust-related behavior by oxytocin in BPD patients, taking into account various factors like emotional sensitivity, childhood adversity, attachment styles, and BPD severity. By testing these hypotheses, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between these factors in influencing trust-related behavior in BPD patients.

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder

Keywords

oxytocin; borderline personality disorder; trust-related behavior; attachment styles; childhood trauma; emotional sensitivity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Correlation of Oxytocin levels and trust index

  Day 1

Study Arms (2)

Cases

Participants with borderline personality disorder who meet the inclusion criteria

Other: baseline serum oxytocin levels; Other: Emotional Sensitivity test; Other: Neuro-economical game; Other: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire; Other: Relationships Questionnaire; Other: demographic questionnaire

Controls

Participants without borderline personality disorder, who meet the inclusion criteria

Other: baseline serum oxytocin levels; Other: Emotional Sensitivity test; Other: Neuro-economical game; Other: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire; Other: Relationships Questionnaire; Other: demographic questionnaire

Interventions

baseline serum oxytocin levels OTHER

Both cases and controls will be assessed for their baseline serum oxytocin levels

Cases; Controls

Emotional Sensitivity test OTHER

To assess the level of emotional sensitivity in the participant

Cases; Controls

Neuro-economical game OTHER

A game played to assess the trust-index of participants

Cases; Controls

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire OTHER

to assess childhood trauma score

Cases; Controls

Relationships Questionnaire OTHER

to assess attachment type

Cases; Controls

demographic questionnaire OTHER

To obtain basic data on demographics

Cases; Controls

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

cases: individuals who are admitted to the inpatient psychiatry unit at a university hospital controls: healthy volunteers who volunteer to participate from the same city as the university hospital

You may qualify if:

• Individuals with borderline personality disorder will qualify as cases
• controls will be age, gender matched individuals without any psychiatric/mental health concerns

You may not qualify if:

• for all: pregnancy, hormonal or neurological disorders, and any kind of regular medication
• for controls: MacLEan screening instrument for BPD will be used at the time of screening to exclude BPD diagnosis in controls

Sponsors & Collaborators

• State University of New York - Upstate Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

SUNY Upstate Medical University

Syracuse, New York, 13210, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder; Hypersensitivity

Interventions

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personality Disorders; Mental Disorders; Immune System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: M.D./PhD, Director of Inpatient Unit, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2023
• First Posted: September 21, 2023
• Study Start: June 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2025
• Study Completion: September 1, 2025
• Last Updated: May 24, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-05

Locations

US (1)