Components of event-related potentials and borderline personality disorder: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by symptoms associated with difficulties in emotion regulation, altered self-image, impulsivity, and instability in personal relationships. A relationship has been found between BPD symptoms and altered neuropsychological processes. Studies of event-related potentials (ERP) measured with electroencephalogram (EEG) have found neural correlates related to BPD symptoms. Of note is the P300 component, considered a potential mental health biomarker for trauma-associated disorders. However, no meta-analysis has been found to demonstrate this relationship.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the P300 component and BPD symptoms. To evaluate the relationship of other ERP components with BPD symptoms.

Methods: The method and procedure were adjusted to the PRISMA checklist. The search was performed in three databases: WOS, Scopus and PubMed. A Random Effects Model was used to perform the analysis of the studies. In addition, a meta-regression was performed with % women, Gini and GDP. Finally, a descriptive analysis of the main results found between P300, other ERP components (LPP, P100 and ERN/Ne) and BPD symptoms was performed.

Results: From a review of 485 articles, a meta-analysis was performed with six articles that met the inclusion criteria. A moderate, positive relationship was found between the P300 component and BPD symptoms (REM = .489; p < .001). It was not possible to perform meta-analyses for other ERP components (LPP, P100 and ERN/Ne) due to the low number of articles found.

Conclusion: The idea that P300 could be considered for use as a biomarker to identify altered neural correlates in BPD is reinforced. In addition, a moderating effect of inequality (Gini) was detected.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The P300 component of event-related potentials could be considered for use as a possible biomarker to identify altered neural correlates in Borderline Personality Disorder.

• There is support for the proposition that an altered P300 would be present in disorders related to exposure to traumatic events.

• P300 could be used to evaluate the therapeutic processes associated with the clinical symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Antecedentes: El trastorno límite de la personalidad (TLP) se caracteriza por sintomatología asociada a dificultades en la regulación emocional, alteraciones de la imagen, impulsividad e inestabilidad en las relaciones personales. Se ha encontrado una relación entre la sintomatología y procesos neuropsicológicos alterados. Los estudios de potenciales relacionados con eventos (ERP) medidos con electroencefalograma (EEG) han hallado correlatos neuronales relacionados con la sintomatología del TLP. Destaca el componente P300, considerado un potencial biomarcador de salud mental para trastornos asociados a trauma. Sin embargo, no se ha encontrado ningún meta-análisis que demuestre esta relación.

Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre el componente P300 y sintomatología del TLP. Evaluar la relación de otros componentes del ERP con sintomatología TLP.

Método: El método y el procedimiento se ajustaron a la lista de verificación PRISMA. La búsqueda se ejecutó en tres bases de datos: WOS, Scopus y PubMed. Se utilizó un Modelo de Efectos Aleatorios, para efectuar el análisis de los estudios. Además, se realizó una meta-regresión con % mujeres, Gini y PIB. Finalmente, se realiza un análisis descriptivo, de los principales resultados encontrados entre P300, otros componentes de ERP (LPP, P100 y ERN/Ne) y sintomatología TLP.

Resultados: A partir de una revisión de 485 artículos, se realizó un meta-análisis con seis artículos que cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Se encontró una relación moderada y positiva entre el componente P300 y la sintomatología del TLP (REM = .489; p < .001). No fue posible realizar meta-análisis para otros componentes de ERP (LPP, P100 y ERN/Ne) debido a la baja cantidad de artículos encontrados.

Conclusión: Se apoya la idea de que el P300 podría considerarse para ser utilizado como biomarcador para identificar correlatos neuronales alterados en TLP. Además, se detectó un efecto moderador de la desigualdad (Gini).

KEYWORDS:

• Borderline personality disorder
• trauma
• electroencephalogram
• event-related potentials
• P300

PALABRAS CLAVES:

• Trastorno límite de la personalidad
• trauma
• electroencefalograma
• potenciales relacionados con eventos
• P300

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Author contribution

Fabiola Salas¹, Conceptualization of the study, Initial search, Data analysis and interpretation, Writing the first version of the manuscript.

Marcelo Nvo- Fernández¹, Conceptualization of the study, Screening of studies, Writing the first version of the manuscript.

Marcelo Leiva-Bianchi¹, Conceptualization of the study, Screening of studies, Data analysis and interpretation, Fund Acquisition.

Daniela Avello Sáez², Conceptualization of the study, Writing the first version of the manuscript.

Geraldy Sepúlveda Páez¹, Third reviewer.

Marc Via García³, Data analysis and interpretation.

César Villacura Herrera^1,4, Data analysis and interpretation.

All authors contributed to the final writing and revision of documents. All authors approved the submission of the manuscript

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in ‘Mendeley Data’ at http://doi.org/10.17632/m69dtg9vb6.1.

Additional information

Funding

This research is fully funded by the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico FONDECYT N°. 1190578. Which awards financial support to research for academics and researchers of the Universities of Chile.