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Neuroscience Proves What We've Known All Along: Gender Exists
on a Spectrum

Posted:
01/20/2015 3:17 pm EST
Updated:
01/20/2015 3:59 pm EST

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Ever wonder about the brain's white matter microstructure diffusivity? Don't
know what the hell we're talking about? Well, start paying attention . . .
because it may be important in determining our gender identity.

Earlier this month, the Medical University of Vienna issued a press release announcing that "the very personal
gender identity of every human being is reflected and verifiable in the
cross-links between brain regions," with distinctions specifically in what's
known as brain "white matter."

Translation: We now have some proof of a neurological distinction between
gender identity and biological sex. Says the report:

"While the biological gender is usually manifested in the physical
appearance, the individual gender identity is not immediately discernible and
primarily established in the psyche of a human being."

Led by Georg S. Kanz of the University Clinic for Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, the study was composed of 23 trans men, 21 trans women, 23 cis
women and 22 cis men. Researchers used a type of MRI ("diffusion-weighted
magnetic resonance imaging" is the proper term, should you ever want to sound
impressive during a dinner party) to measure diffusion of particles across brain
matter. Cis women had the highest diffusivity -- which means (bear with me here)
that particle movement in white matter brain regions was greatest for this
group, followed by trans men. Trans women had lower movement than the former,
with cis men having the least.

There is some early evidence, then, that science is catching up with
something many of us already assume, and for good reason: Gender identity exists
on a scale, rather than in narrow dichotomized groups. In essence, trans people
had brain chemistry approaching the middle of the gender spectrum -- inherently
different from their biological sex and closer to their identified gender. For
example, a trans woman has significantly different brain movement than a cis
man, despite having the same biological sex. Moreover, trans men and trans women
were different from each other, implying that the brain shows a wide
range of gender based differences, rather than simply male or female.

While we shouldn't run wild with this research quite yet, it's an important
finding -- and one supported to some extent by past work as well.

More From The Annals Of Gender Identity Research

A 2010 study found similar results comparing just trans men
with cis men and women. Yet another study found a similar pattern, but in differences
in blood flow between genders.

However, researchers often contend that if hormone therapy is involved, it
could influence such brain chemistry. For example, someone who has had hormone
therapy may have very different results (likely more similar to their gender,
rather than sex) in brain composition than someone who has not (the Vienna study
did take hormones therapy into account). Furthermore, some research shows that gender identity and sexuality are interrelated. In these
studies, sexual preference was an important factor in brain chemistry, even
within a subgroup of, say, trans men. Specifically, there are brain-based
differences between trans men who are attracted to women and trans men who
prefer men.

It's probably not a great idea to make massive jumps in what this data
actually means -- all it really can confirm is that there may be some
brain-based evidence to support that gender indeed exists on a spectrum. But
beyond the brainy jargon and particle-meshing matters, it is, if nothing else,
cool to know that these issues are being studied at the forefront of
neuroscience research.

The press release says, "As the brain is responsible for our thoughts,
feelings and actions, several research institutions worldwide are searching for
the neural representation of gender identity."

Stay tuned ya'll.

This story by Amanda Koehn first appeared on Ravishly.com, an alternative news+culture website for
women.

Other select stories:

Disturbing But Not "Shocking": New Study Shows 1 In 3 Men Would
Rape If They Could Get Away With It

The Trials And Tribulations Of A Token Ugly Girl

Would You 3D Print A Sex Toy?

Follow Ravishly on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/ravishlydotcom

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