White matter microstructure in transsexuals and controls investigated by diffusion tensor imaging

Georg S Kranz; Andreas Hahn; Ulrike Kaufmann; Martin Küblböck; Allan Hummer; Sebastian Ganger; Rene Seiger; Dietmar Winkler; Dick F Swaab; Christian Windischberger; Siegfried Kasper; Rupert Lanzenberger

doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2488-14.2014

White matter microstructure in transsexuals and controls investigated by diffusion tensor imaging

Georg S Kranz, Andreas Hahn, Ulrike Kaufmann, Martin Küblböck, Allan Hummer, Sebastian Ganger, Rene Seiger, Dietmar Winkler, Dick F Swaab, Christian Windischberger, Siegfried Kasper, Rupert Lanzenberger

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Biological causes underpinning the well known gender dimorphisms in human behavior, cognition, and emotion have received increased attention in recent years. The advent of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging has permitted the investigation of the white matter microstructure in unprecedented detail. Here, we aimed to study the potential influences of biological sex, gender identity, sex hormones, and sexual orientation on white matter microstructure by investigating transsexuals and healthy controls using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Twenty-three female-to-male (FtM) and 21 male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals, as well as 23 female (FC) and 22 male (MC) controls underwent DTI at 3 tesla. Fractional anisotropy, axial, radial, and mean diffusivity were calculated using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and fiber tractography. Results showed widespread significant differences in mean diffusivity between groups in almost all white matter tracts. FCs had highest mean diffusivities, followed by FtM transsexuals with lower values, MtF transsexuals with further reduced values, and MCs with lowest values. Investigating axial and radial diffusivities showed that a transition in axial diffusivity accounted for mean diffusivity results. No significant differences in fractional anisotropy maps were found between groups. Plasma testosterone levels were strongly correlated with mean, axial, and radial diffusivities. However, controlling for individual estradiol, testosterone, or progesterone plasma levels or for subjects' sexual orientation did not change group differences. Our data harmonize with the hypothesis that fiber tract development is influenced by the hormonal environment during late prenatal and early postnatal brain development.

Originele taal-2	Engels
Pagina's (van-tot)	15466-75
Aantal pagina's	10
Tijdschrift	Journal of Neuroscience
Volume	34
Nummer van het tijdschrift	46
DOI's	https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2488-14.2014
Status	Gepubliceerd - 12 nov. 2014

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title = "White matter microstructure in transsexuals and controls investigated by diffusion tensor imaging",

abstract = "Biological causes underpinning the well known gender dimorphisms in human behavior, cognition, and emotion have received increased attention in recent years. The advent of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging has permitted the investigation of the white matter microstructure in unprecedented detail. Here, we aimed to study the potential influences of biological sex, gender identity, sex hormones, and sexual orientation on white matter microstructure by investigating transsexuals and healthy controls using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Twenty-three female-to-male (FtM) and 21 male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals, as well as 23 female (FC) and 22 male (MC) controls underwent DTI at 3 tesla. Fractional anisotropy, axial, radial, and mean diffusivity were calculated using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and fiber tractography. Results showed widespread significant differences in mean diffusivity between groups in almost all white matter tracts. FCs had highest mean diffusivities, followed by FtM transsexuals with lower values, MtF transsexuals with further reduced values, and MCs with lowest values. Investigating axial and radial diffusivities showed that a transition in axial diffusivity accounted for mean diffusivity results. No significant differences in fractional anisotropy maps were found between groups. Plasma testosterone levels were strongly correlated with mean, axial, and radial diffusivities. However, controlling for individual estradiol, testosterone, or progesterone plasma levels or for subjects' sexual orientation did not change group differences. Our data harmonize with the hypothesis that fiber tract development is influenced by the hormonal environment during late prenatal and early postnatal brain development.",

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AU - Kranz, Georg S

AU - Hahn, Andreas

AU - Kaufmann, Ulrike

AU - Küblböck, Martin

AU - Hummer, Allan

AU - Ganger, Sebastian

AU - Seiger, Rene

AU - Winkler, Dietmar

AU - Swaab, Dick F

AU - Windischberger, Christian

AU - Kasper, Siegfried

AU - Lanzenberger, Rupert

PY - 2014/11/12

Y1 - 2014/11/12

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AB - Biological causes underpinning the well known gender dimorphisms in human behavior, cognition, and emotion have received increased attention in recent years. The advent of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging has permitted the investigation of the white matter microstructure in unprecedented detail. Here, we aimed to study the potential influences of biological sex, gender identity, sex hormones, and sexual orientation on white matter microstructure by investigating transsexuals and healthy controls using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Twenty-three female-to-male (FtM) and 21 male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals, as well as 23 female (FC) and 22 male (MC) controls underwent DTI at 3 tesla. Fractional anisotropy, axial, radial, and mean diffusivity were calculated using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and fiber tractography. Results showed widespread significant differences in mean diffusivity between groups in almost all white matter tracts. FCs had highest mean diffusivities, followed by FtM transsexuals with lower values, MtF transsexuals with further reduced values, and MCs with lowest values. Investigating axial and radial diffusivities showed that a transition in axial diffusivity accounted for mean diffusivity results. No significant differences in fractional anisotropy maps were found between groups. Plasma testosterone levels were strongly correlated with mean, axial, and radial diffusivities. However, controlling for individual estradiol, testosterone, or progesterone plasma levels or for subjects' sexual orientation did not change group differences. Our data harmonize with the hypothesis that fiber tract development is influenced by the hormonal environment during late prenatal and early postnatal brain development.

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DO - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2488-14.2014

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SN - 0270-6474

VL - 34

SP - 15466

EP - 15475

JO - Journal of Neuroscience

JF - Journal of Neuroscience

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ER -

White matter microstructure in transsexuals and controls investigated by diffusion tensor imaging

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