Study finds 11 genetic loci linked to borderline personality disorder
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Researchers have identified 11 genetic loci associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in the largest genome-wide association study of the condition to date. The findings, published in Nature Genetics on July 20, provide the first robust genetic evidence for the disorder, which affects up to 2% of people in Western countries.
The Study
The analysis, led by Fabian Streit of the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany, combined data from 27 studies involving 12,339 individuals with BPD and over one million controls. The team examined more than six million genetic markers and identified six loci in the initial analysis, with five more found in a combined replication analysis involving 685 BPD cases and 107,750 controls.
Genetic Findings
The study pinpointed nine functional genes within or near the 11 associated loci. BPD is diagnosed based on emotional instability, cognitive distortions, and unstable relationships, and women are three times more likely to be diagnosed than men. Previous research had identified no significant genetic variants, making this a major advance.
Expert Reactions
Andrew McIntosh, a psychiatrist at the University of Edinburgh, called the study "an extraordinary step up" from previous research. He noted that genetic approaches are now likely to be fruitful for BPD, similar to schizophrenia and depression. The condition has been understudied in psychiatric genetics due to challenges in enrolling participants.
What's Next
The researchers plan to expand the study to include more diverse ancestries. It remains unclear whether the identified loci will translate into clinical applications or treatments for BPD.
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Study finds 11 genetic loci linked to borderline personality disorder
