Efficacy of quetiapine for impulsivity and affective symptoms in borderline personality disorder

J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2008 Apr;28(2):147-55. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e318166c4bf.

Abstract

Data on the efficacy of quetiapine in borderline personality disorder (BPD) are still scarce. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of quetiapine for impulsivity and a broad range of affective symptoms in BPD. In this 12-week open-label study, we included individuals with BPD who presented to psychiatric in- and outpatient services. After a gradual titration of quetiapine, a flexible dose (range, 100-800 mg) was administered. The main outcome measures consisted of the scores on patient-rated questionnaires (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, Affective Lability Scale, Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, Spielberger State and Trait Anger Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory) and on neurocognitive tasks related to impulsivity (Stroop Color Word Task and IOWA Gambling Task). A mixed linear model, correcting for age, sex, antidepressant use, and weeks in psychotherapy, was applied. Forty-one patients (34 females and 7 males; mean [SD] age, 27.0 [9.0] years) were enrolled in the study, 32 of which completed the trial. Patients' scores decreased significantly (mean [SD] difference; P value) on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (19.7 [2.0]; P < 0.0001), Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (11.5 [1.4]; P < 0.0001), Affective Lability Scale (0.75 [0.08]; P < 0.0001), Beck Depression Inventory (25.0 [1.7]; P < 0.0001), Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory state (19.9 [1.9]; P < 0.0001) and trait (20.8 [1.7]; P < 0.0001) subscale, and Spielberger State and Trait Anger Inventory state (7.3 [1.1]; P < 0.0001) and trait (10.1 [1.0]; P < 0.0001) subscale. In addition, patients showed significantly less inference on the Stroop Color Word Task and had more 'good choices' on the IOWA Gambling Task. These results suggest that quetiapine may be efficacious in the treatment of impulsivity and affective symptoms in BPD.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / drug therapy*
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology
  • Aggression / drug effects
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Anger / drug effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Depression / drug therapy
  • Dibenzothiazepines / adverse effects
  • Dibenzothiazepines / therapeutic use*
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / drug therapy*
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Dropouts
  • Patient Satisfaction / statistics & numerical data
  • Quetiapine Fumarate
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / agonists
  • Sex Factors
  • Test Anxiety Scale / statistics & numerical data
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Xerostomia / chemically induced

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Dibenzothiazepines
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Quetiapine Fumarate