ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC ABNORMALITIES IN BORDERLINE PERSONALITY-DISORDER

Epilepsy and non-localized brain dysfunction have been invoked, among others, as underlying factors in borderline personality disorder. We h ave recorded 58 electroencephalograms in 20 borderline patients, first after complete drug washout and then under carbamazepine or placebo d ouble-blind treatment. Taking into account only definite abnormal trac ings, we found a 40% incidence of abnormal diffuse slow activity. No p atient disclosed focal or epileptiform EEG features. Carbamazepine did not appear to modify the electroencephalogram. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scie nce Ireland Ltd.