Activation of caspases in lymphocytes of patients with borderline personality disorders

Activities of caspases involved in cell death have been investigated in lymphocytes of patients with borderline personality disorders (BPD). In the group of patients with organic mental disorders (OMD) caspase activity decreased in a depressive disorder and increased in an anxiety disorder, thus suggesting activation of apoptosis in lymphocytes of patients with the anxiety disorder. Caspase activities differed in lymphocytes of OMD patients with the depressive disorder and a recurrent depressive disorder. In BPD patients with OMD lymphocyte caspase activity was higher thus indicating activation of apoptosis in these cells. Results can be used for specification of mechanisms of pathogenesis of mental disorders and search for new markers of these diseases.