<p><a href="http://www.mssm.edu/static_files/MSSM/Files/Research/Programs/Mood%20and%20Personality%20Disorders%20Research%20Program/imaging_genetics.pdf">The Neurobiology and Genetics of Borderline Personality Disorder</a> indicates that a good deal of research has been done but a specific mechanism causing it has not been pinned down. It appears to be largely genetic which would strongly suggest a neurobiological/nature basis as opposed to a "nurture" related cause.
(emphasis mine)</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In summary, the neurobiological research that has been the most useful in 
  shedding light on the physiology underlying borderline personality disorder has examined 
  this multifaceted disorder by examining simpler dimensions of behavior separately, 
  including impulsive aggression and affective instability. <strong>Evidence suggests that impulsive 
  aggression involves a deficit in serotonergic activity</strong>. However, the specific mechanism 
  underlying this remains unknown. It is clear that this component of behavior is 
  substantially genetically encoded, and so new research has focused on elucidating the 
  specific receptors underlying impulsive aggression through the examination of genes 
  coding for specific receptors.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-20T14:57:46.880Z
2012-01-23T23:58:43.470Z
2012-01-23T23:58:43.470Z
Zelda
<p>In other words, how do the brains of those with BPD differ from those who don't have BPD?</p>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder">The Wikipedia article</a> doesn't even contain any possible explanations whatsoever.</p>

<neuroscience><abnormal-psychology>
What is a neurobiological explanation of borderline personality disorder?
InquilineKea
# What is a neurobiological explanation of borderline personality disorder?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-01-19)

In other words, how do the brains of those with BPD differ from those who don't have BPD?

[The Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder) doesn't even contain any possible explanations whatsoever.

**Tags:** neuroscience, abnormal-psychology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2012-01-20. Score: 12

[The Neurobiology and Genetics of Borderline Personality Disorder](http://www.mssm.edu/static_files/MSSM/Files/Research/Programs/Mood%20and%20Personality%20Disorders%20Research%20Program/imaging_genetics.pdf) indicates that a good deal of research has been done but a specific mechanism causing it has not been pinned down. It appears to be largely genetic which would strongly suggest a neurobiological/nature basis as opposed to a "nurture" related cause.
(emphasis mine)

> In summary, the neurobiological research that has been the most useful in
> shedding light on the physiology underlying borderline personality disorder has examined
> this multifaceted disorder by examining simpler dimensions of behavior separately,
> including impulsive aggression and affective instability. **Evidence suggests that impulsive
> aggression involves a deficit in serotonergic activity**. However, the specific mechanism
> underlying this remains unknown. It is clear that this component of behavior is
> substantially genetically encoded, and so new research has focused on elucidating the
> specific receptors underlying impulsive aggression through the examination of genes
> coding for specific receptors.


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