Guanfacine to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder

Guanfacine in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

Status

UNKNOWN

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00358969

Enrollment

Unknown

Registered

2006-08-01

Start date

2006-07-31

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2006-08-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder

Keywords

borderline personality disorder, guanfacine, impulsivity, aggression, affective instability

Brief summary

This study is designed to investigate whether guanfacine (Tenex) is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), an illness often characterized by unstable mood and impulsive aggression. Guanfacine stimulates activity in the front portion of the brain, a region associated with attention and the control of behavior. We believe that guanfacine may improve symptoms of BPD by improving attention and aiding regulation of behavior.

Detailed description

This is an 8-week treatment study designed to test whether guanfacine is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Prior to taking the study medication, subjects will have medical and psychiatric evaluations, complete self-report questionnaires, do a functional MRI scan, and complete a set of cognitive tests. While taking the study medication, participants will meet weekly with a study doctor and be administered interviews and questionnaires. At the end of the 8-week trial, participants will be asked to repeat the MRI scan and cognitive tests.

Interventions

DRUGguanfacine (Tenex)

Study design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 55 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

This study includes men and women between the ages of 18 and 55 who meet criteria for borderline personality disorder with impulsive aggression.

Exclusion criteria

Subjects must not currently be taking any psychiatric medications. Subjects must not meet criteria for current substance dependence, current major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
measures of overall clinical status	—
measures of affective disturbance	—
measures of social and occupational functioning	—
measures of impulsive aggression	—

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactEmily Hart

mpgroup@mssm.edu(212) 241-4459

Backup ContactDavid Meyerson

david.meyerson@mssm.edu(212) 241-9734

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026