Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by intense emotional dysregulation, unstable relationships, impulsive behavior, and chronic fear of abandonment. It affects approximately 1–2% of the general population and is associated with high rates of self-harm, suicide attempts, and co-occurring depression and substance use. Despite its challenges, evidence shows that many people with BPD show meaningful improvement over time with effective treatment.
What's actually going on in research
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is the most rigorously studied psychological treatment for BPD and is broadly considered the standard of care, reducing self-harm and suicidality. Other evidence-based therapies including mentalization-based treatment and schema therapy are also used. No medication is FDA-approved specifically for BPD, though medications targeting individual symptoms are widely prescribed. Trials are exploring ketamine infusions, MDMA-assisted therapy, and digital DBT delivery to address treatment access gaps.
Digital DBT delivery
App-based and telehealth DBT programs are in trials to extend access to this intensive evidence-based therapy for people in settings without specialized DBT providers.
Ketamine and glutamate-targeting
Ketamine infusions and esketamine are being studied in BPD given their rapid effects on suicidality and emotional dysregulation, and their role in augmenting ongoing psychotherapy.
MDMA-assisted therapy
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is in early trials for BPD and related trauma-driven emotional dysregulation, following signals of benefit in PTSD that may extend to this population.
What to know before you search
Eligibility requires DSM-5 BPD diagnosis, typically with active emotional dysregulation or self-harm, and capacity for outpatient participation.
What types of trials are currently open
- DBT optimization trials — Comparing intensive, standard, and digital DBT delivery for self-harm and suicidality outcomes in BPD.
- Ketamine trials — Testing ketamine and esketamine infusions for rapid reduction of suicidal ideation and emotional crises.
- MDMA-assisted therapy trials — Early-phase studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for trauma-related features of BPD.
- Pharmacotherapy trials — Evaluating mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, and antidepressants for BPD symptom domains.
- Integrated treatment trials — Testing combined psychotherapy and medication approaches versus monotherapy in newly diagnosed BPD.
Recently added Borderline Personality Disorder trials
Oxytocin Plus Self-compassion Training in Borderline Personality Disorder
Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a frequentand serious psychiatric disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of instability in relationships, affect and self-image. Although long-term follow-up prospective studies have shown high clinical remission rates, they also point out that usually persist social functioning deficits, comorbidity, isolation, chronic affective clinic and life dissatisfaction. Self-compassion training (SCT) could be an effective strategy targeting self-criticism, shame and chronic feelings of worthlessness, as well as increasing resilience. In addition, the administration of intranasal oxytocin has proven useful in regulating social cognition, affiliation behaviors and enhancing empathy, key symptoms in this population. This combined intervention could be particularly appropriate for BPD patients. Objective: The objective of this project is to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention, based on SCT and intranasal oxytocin administration, for the treatment of patients with BPD. Methodology: Controlled and randomized clinical trial. A self-compassion training of 5 weeks duration plus intranasal oxytocin administration versus SCT plus placebo will be compared in a sample of 80 patients with BPD. Clinical and wellness measures will be evalutated as outcomes.
ADOLESCENTS IMAGING USING fMRI: Feasibility Study
Impaired social cognition and cognitive control associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD) remain less explored. Recent Franco-Canadian study, has shown the feasibility of a neuroimaging tests in Quebec adolescents with BPD. This study aims to increase knowledgements related to neural correlates of BPD and clinical disorders.
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