Participants sought: Complex Trauma Disorder (formerly known as Borderline Personality Disorder)

Participants wanted for a study on treating symptoms of complex
trauma disorder (aka borderline personality disorder)

Participants wanted for the Alison Project: A randomised double-blind placebo controlled investigation of adjunctive memantine in the treatment of symptoms of complex trauma disorder (also known as borderline personality disorder)

Early life trauma is causally implicated in borderline personality disorder (BPD) and there is strong support for the notion that BPD overlaps clinically with disorders of complex post-traumatic stress.
Some hallmark features of BPD are fluctuating instability in self-image, interpersonal relationships, and emotions. Many individuals with BPD have intense fears of abandonment, oscillate between idealizing and angrily devaluing others, and engage in deliberate self-harm including self-mutilation, suicide attempts and abuse of alcohol and drugs. As a result, CTD is a highly prevalent complex psychiatric disorder with high morbidity and mortality. Thus, this randomised double-blind placebo trial aims to investigate the use of a noncompetitive NMDA antagonist, memantine, in treating behavioural and cognitive symptoms of CTD.

Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, study lead

Participants aged 18-65, who have a diagnosis of BPD or experience symptoms of BPD are invited to join this study. This trial consists of 3 face-to-face appointments, and several phone appointments over 12 weeks. Participants will be provided with the study medication free of charge, and closely monitored throughout the trial. At the end of the trial, all participants will meet with Professor Jayashri Kulkarni to discuss their trial results and possible future treatment options.

Contact: Miss Iris Liang
Phone: (03) 9076 6589
Email: maprc.wmhresearch@monash.edu
Web: http://www.maprc.org.au/thealisonproject
Ethics Committee Project Number: 204/11