MRI reveals structural brain differences in young people who may be transgender
The brain activity of individuals questioning gender identity may resemble individuals of their desired gender, according to an article published May 22 by The Telegraph.
Presented at the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting in Barcelona, the study, led by Julie Bakker, PhD, with the University of Liege in Belgium, revealed that neurological differences in individuals with gender dysphoria are detectable as early as childhood.
"Although more research is needed, we now have evidence that sexual differentiation of the brain differs in young people with gender dysphoria, as they show functional brain characteristics that are typical of their desired gender," Bakker told The Telegraph. "We will then be better equipped to support these young people, instead of just sending them to a psychiatrist and hoping that their distress will disappear spontaneously.”
Bakker and colleagues used MRI to examine 160 biological male and female children and adolescents with and without gender dysphoria.
According to the article, researchers looked specifically at how the brain reacts to a steroid and measured gray matter and white matter microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging. They found that biological males with gender dysphoria had a brain structure and neurological patterns similar to biological females, and vice versa.
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A recent graduate from Dominican University (IL) with a bachelor’s in journalism, Melissa joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering all aspects of health imaging. She’s a fan of singing and playing guitar, elephants, a good cup of tea, and her golden retriever Cooper.