Neuropsychological Profile Associated With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Study In Females

Abstract

Numerous studies have identified neurocognitive impairments in borderline personality disorder (BPD), particularly in executive functions (EF). However, findings have been inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the neuropsychological functioning of a clinical sample of women diagnosed with BPD receiving outpatient treatment. A total of 71 women (M(SD) = 28.5(6.5) years) were assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests measuring attention, memory, and EF, including the Trail Making Test, Stroop Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Digit Span, Verbal Fluency, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. The results indicate widespread impairments in attention, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control, while verbal fluency and working memory remained within normative limits. Learning and memory performance exhibited a progressive decline over time compared to normative data. These findings support the hypothesis that young adult women with BPD experience broad neuropsychological impairments, with relative preservation in some cognitive domains. The observed decline in learning capacity underscores the need for tailored neuropsychological rehabilitation programs and psychotherapeutic adaptations to mitigate cognitive difficulties in this population.