Neural correlates of social rejection sensitivity in trans persons on cross-sex hormone therapy

Background

Trans persons continue to be stigmatized and marginalized in society. However, little is known how the experience of social rejection manifests at the neurobiological level. [ view full abstract ]

Aim(s)

To assess the neurobiological correlates of social rejection experience in trans persons on cross-sex hormone therapy. [ view full abstract ]

Methods

In the present study, 20 trans men, 19 trans women, 20 cisgender men and 20 cisgender women completed a computerized social rejection task, the cyberball task, whilst undergoing fMRI scanning. This task includes a game of... [ view full abstract ]

Main Outcome Measures

Neural activations during the exclusion relative to the inclusion condition and the social re-inclusion after exclusion condition. Moreover, functional connectiovity analyses (PPI) were also conducted, which assess the... [ view full abstract ]

Results

During the experience of social exclusion, cisgender women showed neural activations in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), regions involved in behavioral control and affective regulation,... [ view full abstract ]

Conclusion

The present findings highlight the neurobiological correlates of the processing of social rejection experience, particularly in trans men. [ 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)

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