Brain Sex: Differences That Do Not Differentiate

The use of neuroimaging to study transgender individuals has generated both clinical interest and societal attention. Identifying a “transgender brain” is seen by some as evidence of an enduring, innate gender identity. This appeals both to those who subscribe to the notion of a biologically determined gender identity and to clinicians charged with identifying the best treatment pathways for young people with gender-related distress. Others emphasize the influence of environmental and psychosocial factors on brain structure and function, suggesting that neuroimaging could help elucidate the factors that contribute to a trans identity.