Scientists say trans brains different

A team of Spanish researchers has found structural differences in the brains of trans men and women.

In two separate studies, the team from the National University of Distance Education in Madrid compared scans of the brains of 18 trans men with 24 men and 19 women, and 18 male-to-female transsexuals with 19 men and 19 women. The scientists found the distribution of white matter in the brains of the trans males, who were yet to begin hormone therapy, resembled that of male brains in four major areas.

However, when comparing the white matter of the transsexual women’s brains, they found that while similarities with the brains of their chosen gender were present, the differences were less pronounced.

“It’s the first time it has been shown that the brains of female-to-male transsexual people are masculinised,” team leader Dr Antonio Guillamon told New Scientist magazine.

He said the brains of the transsexual women appeared to be “not completely masculinised and not completely feminised”.

“But they still feel female,” he said.

Research in recent years has also found structural and response differences in the brains of gay men and lesbians.