Brain zaps without zaps: neurofeedback shows promise for borderline personality disorder
NCT ID NCT05398627
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether real-time brain feedback (rtfMRI) could help people with borderline personality disorder increase brain activity in the amygdala while recalling happy memories. Thirty adults with the condition completed the training over several weeks. The goal was to see if this could reduce borderline symptoms and depression.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
real-time fMRI neurofeedback device
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a non-drug way to help people with borderline personality disorder feel better by training their brain to respond more strongly to positive memories.
What could go wrong
This was a small, early study with only 30 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The training requires specialized brain scanning, which is not widely available.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States