Neural correlates of sexual arousal in trans persons on cross-sex hormone therapy

Background

Little is known whether differences exist in how trans persons perceive and process sexually arousing material differently at the neurobiological level from cisgender persons. [ view full abstract ]

Aim(s)

To assess neurobiological processing of erotic material in trans persons on cross-sex hormone therapy. [ view full abstract ]

Methods

Twenty trans men, 19 trans women, 20 cisgender men and 20 cisgender women watched 8 erotic and 8 neutral video clips (each clip being 45 seconds long) whilst undergoing fMRI scanning at 3T. [ view full abstract ]

Main Outcome Measures

Neural activation in the contrast for erotic relative to neutral video clips. [ view full abstract ]

Results

The results showed that two regions, the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), regions known to be involved in affective processing and regulation and in self-referential processing, were differentially activated... [ view full abstract ]

Conclusion

The findings suggest little differences between trans persons and cisgender persons but indicate generally larger activations in cisgender men during erotic arousal. [ view full abstract ]

Authors

  1. Sven Mueller (Ghent University)
  2. Katrien Wierckx (Ghent University)
  3. Guy T'Sjoen (Ghent University)

Topic Area

Oral & Poster Topics: Endocrinology

Session

OS-3C » Endocrinology III: Neurobiology (11:15 - Saturday, 8th April, Atlantic 3)

Presentation Files

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