Characterization of the Neural Bases of Mental Imagery in Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder: An EEG Study

NCT07428200 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-A02401-48
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 62
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) involves altered social cognition, notably dysfunctional processing of cues signaling potential social exclusion and heightened social pain. This study uses EEG during a controlled Cyberball task to test whether BPD patients show a functionally altered social-pain network, particularly increased theta activity, when experiencing induced social exclusion.

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder BPD

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Theta oscillation power in brain regions associated with social pain (e.g., frontal cortex, insula, ACC).

  Using EEG, this project aims to determine whether patients with borderline personality disorder show alterations within the neural network of social pain (increased theta) when they experience social pain (Cyberball task score from 0% to 100%), a heightened perception of social pain compared to control subjects, and dysfunctional social attentional capture. The findings could deepen our understanding of social pain and the dysfunctional mechanisms underlying the disorder. The project may open new avenues for interventions aimed at reducing social pain or sensitivity to social pain in individuals with borderline personality disorder.

  From enrollment to the unique visit which last 2 hours. Cyberball Game during EEG: duration about 20 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• The degree of social pain perception

  From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours. The scale completion last 10 minutes.

• Social attention

  From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours. 30 minutes before Cyberball

• the characterization of cognitive control performance between TPB patients and volunteers

  From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours

Study Arms (2)

matched healthy controls

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Behavioral: 2 Tasks : - stop signal reaction time and Cyberball then ill out an evaluation form

patient with borderline personality disorder

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Behavioral: 2 Tasks : - stop signal reaction time and Cyberball then ill out an evaluation form

Interventions

2 Tasks : - stop signal reaction time and Cyberball then ill out an evaluation form BEHAVIORAL

Upon arrival, during electrode placement, participants will complete a stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) task measuring cognitive control for approximately ten minutes. Following this, they will participate in an online ball game, Cyberball, a controlled laboratory task simulating social inclusion or exclusion. The Cyberball task will last approximately 20 minutes and will consist of three experimental conditions presented in a fixed order: passive viewing, inclusion, and then exclusion. During this time, participants' visual activity will be measured using eye tracking. At the end of the Cyberball game, participants will complete: * Social Ostracism and Cohesion Rating Scales * Need Threat Scale

matched healthy controls; patient with borderline personality disorder

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• For patients, a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (established by a board-certified psychiatrist during a structured interview using the MINI) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
• For healthy individuals, no psychiatric disorders according to the DSM-5 (except for tobacco use)
• Must be between 18 and 40 years old
• Must provide a signed, free, and informed consent form
• To be affiliated with a social security scheme in France or to be a beneficiary of such a scheme

You may not qualify if:

• Known neurological disorders (patient group and control participants)
• Comorbid psychiatric disorders (e.g., current depressive episode; ADHD treated with methylphenidate; bipolar disorder)
• Active substance use disorder (excluding tobacco)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Guardianship
• Consuming more than three alcoholic drinks in the past 24 hours
• Consuming alcohol on the day of the experiment
• Consuming tea or coffee less than one hour before the experiment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hôpital le Vinatier: lead

Study Sites (1)

Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier

Bron, 69500, France

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: A prospective study comparing a group of healthy volunteers and a group of subjects diagnosed with borderline personality disorder during a single experimental EEG session.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 17, 2026
• First Posted: February 23, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2029
• Last Updated: February 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

FR (1)