Understanding decision-making issues in borderline personality disorder

Neurocomputational mechanisms of impaired social decision-making in borderline personality

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10999871

This study looks at how people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) make choices in social situations, especially when those choices might lead to self-harm, and it aims to understand how their brains work during these moments to help explain why they sometimes make harmful decisions.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10999871 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) make decisions, particularly in social situations that can lead to self-harm. It focuses on the brain's cingulo-opercular network, which is involved in goal-directed learning and may be disrupted by emotional cues. By examining the neural mechanisms behind these decision-making processes, the study aims to identify why people with BPD often make harmful choices. The research employs advanced neuroscience techniques to explore these cognitive and emotional interactions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, particularly those experiencing difficulties in social decision-making.

Not a fit: Patients without a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder or those who do not exhibit decision-making impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals with borderline personality disorder, helping them make healthier decisions and reduce self-harming behaviors.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding decision-making processes in similar psychological conditions, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.