Brain Study Finds Commonality Between Transgender and Cisgender Individuals

A group of researchers at the VU University Medical Center recently carried out a project analyzing the brain activity of transgender individuals through MRI scans.

Brain activity in transgender individuals was found to be similar to cisgender individuals of the same gender; that is, a trans woman’s brain activity was found to be similar to that of a biological woman than a biological man. According the study, the brains of transgender individuals have been wired to the gender they identify with—not their biological gender.

Cisgender is the term used for describing individuals who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.

The study involved around 160 young people, including teenagers with gender dysphoria. The researchers observed the subjects’ brain activity when responding to a pheromone related to gender-specific reactions. In an interview with Newsweek, head of the project Dr. Julie Bakker stated that it is in a transgender individual’s best interest to be treated during early adolescence. She proceeded by saying that:

“…in the Netherlands, youngsters are being treated with puberty inhibitors at 12 years of age to prevent the development of secondary sex characteristics which are difficult or even impossible to reverse (like the lowering of the voice in boys) and then at 16 years of age, they can start with cross-sex hormones. It has been shown that these youngsters are doing relatively well and are well accepted by their peers.”

Bakker also highlighted the importance of studying “sex differences in the brain”, not only to help transgender people but to further develop the understanding of several neurological diseases. She also pointed towards the fact that these studies happen much more frequently, making data and conclusions related to the topic available for further projects.

Additionally, Bakker explained that most of the subjects used to study the relationship between sex hormones and brain structure are usually male—whether human or animal—and that those results do not always relate to female subjects. She singled out the different reactions that women have to morphine or sleep medication as an example of how subjects both female and male should be tested.

One of the people in charge of peer-reviewing the study was Dr. James Barrett, lead clinician at the Gender Identity Clinic and president of the British Association of Gender Identity Specialists. In Newsweek, Barrett shared his optimism on the future of transgender studies, with the latest discovery providing a strong argument against people who believe transgender individuals have a choice in their gender.

Referring to the debate surrounding transgender individuals, he stated that “the pendulum of ‘Is it nature or nurture?’ has swung rather more toward the nature side of it”, with every study providing more evidence for a psychological aspect, something  “innate in the pre-uterine environment”. He closed the interview by comparing transgender individuals to left-handed people, saying that while left-handed people can be taught to be right-handed and be good at it, they will still always be fundamentally left-handed. He stated that, as complicated as the topic of why left-handed individuals are the way they are can be, said truth is undeniable.

Featured Image via: Flickr/Emma