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Circulating androgens correlate with resting-state MRI in transgender men
Sven C Mueller1, Katrien Wierckx2, Kathryn Jackson3
1Department of Experimental Clinical & Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|August 2, 2016
Summary
Hormone therapy impacts brain activity in transgender individuals. Transgender men on testosterone showed brain connectivity patterns similar to cisgender men, suggesting potential masculinization.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Limited research exists on resting-state brain activity in transgender persons undergoing hormone therapy.
- Understanding neurobiological changes is crucial for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in resting-state functional brain connectivity between transgender and non-transgender individuals.
- To explore the relationship between hormone levels, treatment duration, and brain activity.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used.
- Measures included low-frequency fluctuations (LFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo).
- Participants: 19 transgender women (TW), 19 transgender men (TM), 21 non-transgender men (NTM), 20 non-transgender women (NTW).
Main Results:
- Significant differences in LFF and ReHo were observed between transgender and non-transgender groups in the frontal cortex, medial temporal lobe, and cerebellum.
- In transgender men, circulating androgens correlated with brain activity in the cerebellum and frontal cortex, linked to treatment duration.
- No similar associations were found for transgender women with estrogen therapy.
Conclusions:
- Hormone therapy is associated with altered local functional brain connectivity in transgender individuals.
- Findings suggest a potential masculinization of brain connectivity in transgender men undergoing testosterone therapy.
- This study provides novel insights into the neurobiological effects of cross-sex hormone therapy.
Keywords:
AndrogenizationFunctional connectivityHormone treatmentMasculinizationTestosteroneTranssexualMore Related Videos
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