Planning in borderline personality disorder: Evidence for distinct subpopulations

Abstract

Objective. Borderline personality disorder is a severe mental disorder, whereas previous studies suggest executive functions may be impaired. The aim of this study was to evaluate executive planning in a sample of 85 individuals. Methods. Planning was assessed by means of the Tower of London (Drexel University version) task. Latent class cluster analysis models were adjusted to the data. Results. We identified two different subpopulations of borderline personality disorder patients, one of them with significantly reduced performance. Conclusion. Neuropsychological mechanisms may be involved in borderline personality disorder, at least in a subgroup of patients.