I always claimed that my brain was female, even before HRT. It seems I may have been just validate, how about you?

Cereb Cortex. 2012 Aug 31. [Epub ahead of print]
Cortical Thickness in Untreated Transsexuals.
Zubiaurre-Elorza L, Junque C, Gómez-Gil E, Segovia S, Carrillo B, Rametti G, Guillamon A.
SourceDepartamento de Psiquiatría y Psicobiología Clínica.

Abstract
Sex differences in cortical thickness (CTh) have been extensively investigated but as yet there are no reports on CTh in transsexuals. Our aim was to determine whether the CTh pattern in transsexuals before hormonal treatment follows their biological sex or their gender identity. We performed brain magnetic resonance imaging on 94 subjects: 24 untreated female-to-male transsexuals (FtMs), 18 untreated male-to-female transsexuals (MtFs), and 29 male and 23 female controls in a 3-T TIM-TRIO Siemens scanner. T(1)-weighted images were analyzed to obtain CTh and volumetric subcortical measurements with FreeSurfer software. CTh maps showed control females have thicker cortex than control males in the frontal and parietal regions. In contrast, males have greater right putamen volume. FtMs had a similar CTh to control females and greater CTh than males in the parietal and temporal cortices. FtMs had larger right putamen than females but did not differ from males. MtFs did not differ in CTh from female controls but had greater CTh than control males in the orbitofrontal, insular, and medial occipital regions. In conclusion, FtMs showed evidence of subcortical gray matter masculinization, while MtFs showed evidence of CTh feminization. In both types of transsexuals, the differences with respect to their biological sex are located in the right hemisphere.

I've read these studies before. Very impressive.

For myself, most people I know have always seen me this way. I didn't get beaten up all those times because some guy thought it might be fun to win against the big fellow! 

But I have to say, and only from my own perspective, much like psychological gender testing and similar, I strongly feel that what I want, is more important than any test. What makes me feel comfortable.

It's just, for me, I don't need an excuse. This is me.

Quote from: spacial on November 14, 2012, 03:06:18 PM
I've read these studies before. Very impressive.

For myself, most people I know have always seen me this way. I didn't get beaten up all those times because some guy thought it might be fun to win against the big fellow! 

But I have to say, and only from my own perspective, much like psychological gender testing and similar, I strongly feel that what I want, is more important than any test. What makes me feel comfortable.

It's just, for me, I don't need an excuse. This is me.

Hi, Jill

As always you are in the money.

I have an entire suite of MRI and MRA images of my brain taken in October.

I do, in fact, have a brain.  Though that might surprise some people.

I don't have a brain. I have a squeedily spooch. It's better.

Quote from: Jamie D on November 15, 2012, 03:10:18 AM
I have an entire suite of MRI and MRA images of my brain taken in October.

I do, in fact, have a brain.  Though that might surprise some people.

That explains where the missing Kennedy brain went.  You may want to return it.

Humm. I have retarded bone age so that may mean my skull thicknesses bit on the thin side but that was due to cortical steroids when I was young.
I definitely have the brain of a woman but it's probably more due to programming when I was a child more than me bones.

does that mean you're bad at parking the car? actually there is some proof about that too. Women have a part of the brain for spatial and distance less developed than men.

Quote from: samanta on November 23, 2012, 08:57:25 AM
does that mean you're bad at parking the car? actually there is some proof about that too. Women have a part of the brain for spatial and distance less developed than men.

I would argue that natural variation is so great, it would be hard to really make generalizations. As a professional driver, I see some people just intuitively understand the distance and spacing they need to back a trailer up, yet others struggle immensely. The thing is, on the ground I don't really see any skill gap from gender, age, race, etc. 

Whatever spacial perception differences there may be pale in comparison to our cultural attitudes as far as driving. Though I do admit the sort of woman who becomes a professional driver is usually sure of her abilities whereas most men assume they can do it even if they have no real driving skills developed, so that could have something to do with the relative equality I see.

Quote from: spacial on November 14, 2012, 03:06:18 PM
I've read these studies before. Very impressive.

For myself, most people I know have always seen me this way. I didn't get beaten up all those times because some guy thought it might be fun to win against the big fellow! 

But I have to say, and only from my own perspective, much like psychological gender testing and similar, I strongly feel that what I want, is more important than any test. What makes me feel comfortable.

It's just, for me, I don't need an excuse. This is me.

This is indeed the bottom line. But science is the new clergy and when they put their stamp of approval on something like the trans phenomena, it strengthens its position at the negotiating table.

On the one hand, scientific data's approval does little to nothing for my identity.

On the other hand, its why we're seeing insurance companies beginning to cover HRT/GRS, why GRS is tax deductible and why discrimination laws are expanding to include transsexuals.

Science may not validate me personally, but it can validate me socially and legally. Ideal, no. Useful, absolutely.

I intuitively knew this through the years I couldn't remember my childhood or my gender identity.
I wouldn't touch alcohol, recreational drugs, or activities that tended to end in concussions or head injuries, even though I was game for anything else.
If asked, I would honestly say, my brain is the only thing in me that I know works, that is exactly the way it needs to be. If I damaged that, I would be lost. I would much rather be hit in the crotch than in the head.

Good going, brain. You're my girl!

Quote from: Celery Stalk on November 23, 2012, 10:36:44 AM

This is indeed the bottom line. But science is the new clergy and when they put their stamp of approval on something like the trans phenomena, it strengthens its position at the negotiating table.

On the one hand, scientific data's approval does little to nothing for my identity.

On the other hand, its why we're seeing insurance companies beginning to cover HRT/GRS, why GRS is tax deductible and why discrimination laws are expanding to include transsexuals.

Science may not validate me personally, but it can validate me socially and legally. Ideal, no. Useful, absolutely.

BZ Girl, I could not have said better myself

Quote from: Georgia on November 23, 2012, 01:58:57 PM

When reading these pseudo-scientific studies,

Pseudo scientific?

FYE (For Your Education) "Cerebral Cortex" is one of the premier neurobiological journals. Manuscripts published in "Cerebral Cortex" undergo a rigorous peer-review before publication. The Journal is published by "Oxford Journals Co." 

Cerebral Cortex publishes papers on the development, organization, plasticity, and function of the cerebral cortex, including the hippocampus. Studies with clear relevance to the cerebral cortex, such as the thalamocortical relationship or cortico-subcortical interactions, are also included.


The journal is multidisciplinary and covers the large variety of modern neurobiological and neuropsychological techniques, including anatomy, biochemistry, molecular neurobiology, electrophysiology, behavior, artificial intelligence, and theoretical modeling. In addition to research articles, special features such as brief reviews, book reviews, and commentaries are included. 

http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/cercor/about.html

Quote from: LordKAT on November 16, 2012, 02:53:03 AM
That explains where the missing Kennedy brain went.  You may want to return it.

Ask not what Susan's can do for you.  Ask what you could do for Susan's.

Hey!  You might be on to something!

Quote from: LordKAT on November 16, 2012, 02:53:03 AM
That explains where the missing Kennedy brain went.  You may want to return it.

or we can give her MLK's hart to go with Jack's brains