Do opposite-sex brain structures exist in Transsexuals prior to HRT?

[Emerald]

In December 2006, a new study funded by Ferring Pharmaceuticals was presented at the International Paediatric Endocrinology Symposium in Paris, France.  This study finds that prior to HRT use, transsexual people have brain structures matching their genetic sex.  According to this study, a transsexual person's brain restructures itself to become typically structured for the individual's target sex only AFTER the administration of hormone therapy.

http://www.eje-online.org/cgi/content/full/155/suppl_1/S107

Is there ANY scientific evidence supporting the claim that opposite-sex brain structures exist in Transsexuals prior to HRT???

-Emerald 

[HelenW]

The study that showed size differences in the bed stria terminalis (BST) of the hypothalamus was done on dissected brains of transsexuals who had passed away.  It stated that this area of the brain was not affected by cross gendered hormone administration.

That grosser portions of the brain are changed via hormone administration is true if I can relate my own experience in my mental environment to the concept.  I do feel and even think in different ways from before my hormone therapy.  This could all be psychological though.  But this study does not prove that certain brain differences, too small to measure via magnetic imaging, are not different before hormone administration, it just shows that some parts of the brain change under the hormonal influence.

In the long run all this matters little unless one clings to the essentialist doctrine of biology rigidly forming reality and its destiny.  I hold that it does not.

hugs & smiiles
Emelye

[Wing Walker]

Quoted from Emelye

In the long run all this matters little unless one clings to the essentialist doctrine of biology rigidly forming reality and its destiny.  I hold that it does not.

I agree with Emelye.  I started HRT on July 2, 2002 and on August 8, 2002 I had a session with my psychiatrist.  She noticed that I carried myself differently, that my speech patterns and choice of words was different, and she told me that she could see that she was talking with another woman.

My belief is that estrogen opened all of the neural pathways that were waiting to be put to use in my female being.

Wing Walker

[gothique11]

Well, if I ever can actually find a way to get a copy of my earlier brain scans, maybe we'd find something out (I was a study for a while -- yay for being a ginny  pig!). Not really by consent, but that's what happens when you're locked up in a mental institution, they try all kinds of experiments on you. Brain scans, different drugs, electro shock therapy, more scans. I've lived a wonderful fairy tale life.

On a more serious note, it would be interesting to see if there are pre HRT differences or not.

[tinkerbell]

I disagree with that study.   When people cannot relate to a condition, they will always create a "reason" to make their opinion "valid". 

Transsexualism is a neurological/congenital and not a psychiatric condition.  I think it is also important to note that not a single transsexual person has ever been "cured" (if you will) or even successfully treated by mental health professionals in the last century or so since the science of psychiatry has been recognized my the medical profession. 

Is there ANY scientific evidence supporting the claim that opposite-sex brain structures exist in Transsexuals prior to HRT???

-Emerald 

Yes, there is.  This is the link from The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism which contains evidence, not just "opinions" from scientists.  I can provide you with many more links if you are interested.

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/85/5/2034


tink

[cindybc]

Hi Natelie, welcome home, I spent sometime in the Hotel California myself in the late 70's. I never got shock treatment or anything like that. I was seeing things that they claimed weren't there and I had a slight sleeping disorder. So I was kept sedated quite a lot so I don't really remember much about my stay at Hotel California except the last part of my being resident there.

Cindy 

[melissa90299]

First, there is no such thing as opposite sexes.