Characterization of the Neural Bases of Mental Imagery in Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder: An EEG Study (BABO)

February 17, 2026 updated by: Hôpital le Vinatier
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) involves altered social cognition, notably dysfunctional processing of cues signaling potential social exclusion and heightened social pain. This study uses EEG during a controlled Cyberball task to test whether BPD patients show a functionally altered social-pain network, particularly increased theta activity, when experiencing induced social exclusion.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

A central feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD) is an alteration of social cognition processes. Among the impairments described in the literature, the processing of signals evoking potential social exclusion appears to be particularly dysfunctional in patients with BPD. This deficient processing may underlie the experiences of "social pain" frequently reported in this population. Social pain refers to the negative experience felt when an individual perceives themselves as being excluded from a social context.

Over the past several years, the development of experimental paradigms aimed at exploring social cognition has shown that it is possible to induce feelings of social pain in controlled settings. These studies have also revealed that neural substrates such as the anterior insula, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the prefrontal cortex are involved not only in the processing of physical pain signals but also in the processing of social pain.

Although the neural networks associated with social pain are now well identified, the underlying neural and cognitive mechanisms remain poorly understood.

One possible avenue for understanding the neural and cognitive mechanisms of social pain in patients with BPD lies in examining electroencephalographic activity originating from these regions during the processing of social exclusion signals. Indeed, previous studies have highlighted the involvement of theta rhythms in the processing of social exclusion signals in healthy individuals.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
62

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • France
      • Bron, France, 69500
        • Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Emmanuel E Poulet, Professor
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jérôme J BRUNELIN, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • For patients, a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (established by a board-certified psychiatrist during a structured interview using the MINI) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
  • For healthy individuals, no psychiatric disorders according to the DSM-5 (except for tobacco use)
  • Must be between 18 and 40 years old
  • Must provide a signed, free, and informed consent form
  • To be affiliated with a social security scheme in France or to be a beneficiary of such a scheme

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Known neurological disorders (patient group and control participants)
  • Comorbid psychiatric disorders (e.g., current depressive episode; ADHD treated with methylphenidate; bipolar disorder)
  • Active substance use disorder (excluding tobacco)
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Guardianship
  • Consuming more than three alcoholic drinks in the past 24 hours
  • Consuming alcohol on the day of the experiment
  • Consuming tea or coffee less than one hour before the experiment

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Placebo Comparator: matched healthy controls
Behavioral: 2 Tasks : - stop signal reaction time and Cyberball then ill out an evaluation form

Upon arrival, during electrode placement, participants will complete a stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) task measuring cognitive control for approximately ten minutes.

Following this, they will participate in an online ball game, Cyberball, a controlled laboratory task simulating social inclusion or exclusion.

The Cyberball task will last approximately 20 minutes and will consist of three experimental conditions presented in a fixed order: passive viewing, inclusion, and then exclusion. During this time, participants' visual activity will be measured using eye tracking.

At the end of the Cyberball game, participants will complete:

  • Social Ostracism and Cohesion Rating Scales
  • Need Threat Scale
Active Comparator: patient with borderline personality disorder
Behavioral: 2 Tasks : - stop signal reaction time and Cyberball then ill out an evaluation form

Upon arrival, during electrode placement, participants will complete a stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) task measuring cognitive control for approximately ten minutes.

Following this, they will participate in an online ball game, Cyberball, a controlled laboratory task simulating social inclusion or exclusion.

The Cyberball task will last approximately 20 minutes and will consist of three experimental conditions presented in a fixed order: passive viewing, inclusion, and then exclusion. During this time, participants' visual activity will be measured using eye tracking.

At the end of the Cyberball game, participants will complete:

  • Social Ostracism and Cohesion Rating Scales
  • Need Threat Scale

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Theta oscillation power in brain regions associated with social pain (e.g., frontal cortex, insula, ACC).
Time Frame: From enrollment to the unique visit which last 2 hours. Cyberball Game during EEG: duration about 20 minutes
Using EEG, this project aims to determine whether patients with borderline personality disorder show alterations within the neural network of social pain (increased theta) when they experience social pain (Cyberball task score from 0% to 100%), a heightened perception of social pain compared to control subjects, and dysfunctional social attentional capture. The findings could deepen our understanding of social pain and the dysfunctional mechanisms underlying the disorder. The project may open new avenues for interventions aimed at reducing social pain or sensitivity to social pain in individuals with borderline personality disorder.
From enrollment to the unique visit which last 2 hours. Cyberball Game during EEG: duration about 20 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The degree of social pain perception
Time Frame: From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours. The scale completion last 10 minutes.
Score on the Needs Threat Scale (Van Beest & Williams, 2006) Score from 12 to 62 , assessing the degree of social pain
From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours. The scale completion last 10 minutes.
Social attention
Time Frame: From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours. 30 minutes before Cyberball
The Visual attention as measured by eye tracking during the social pain task
From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours. 30 minutes before Cyberball
the characterization of cognitive control performance between TPB patients and volunteers
Time Frame: From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours
From enrollment until the unique visit which last 2 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Hôpital le Vinatier

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
March 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 17, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2025-A02401-48

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Borderline Personality Disorder BPD

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings