Gender Dysphoria: A Review Investigating the Relationship Between Genetic Influences and Brain Development
Ferdinand JO Boucher, Tudor I Chinnah University of Exeter, Medical School, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UKCorrespondence: Ferdinand JO Boucher Email fb339@exeter.ac.ukAbstract: Gender dysphoria (GD) is a facet of modern human biology which is believed to be derived from the sexual d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/gender-dysphoria-a-review-investigating-the-relationship-between-genet-peer-reviewed-article-AHMT |
| _version_ | 1811323460135157760 |
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| author | Boucher FJO Chinnah TI |
| author_facet | Boucher FJO Chinnah TI |
| author_sort | Boucher FJO |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ferdinand JO Boucher, Tudor I Chinnah University of Exeter, Medical School, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UKCorrespondence: Ferdinand JO Boucher Email fb339@exeter.ac.ukAbstract: Gender dysphoria (GD) is a facet of modern human biology which is believed to be derived from the sexual differentiation of the brain. GD “involves a conflict between a person’s physical or assigned gender and the gender with which he/she/they identify”, as defined in the DSM-5. Individuals report feeling uncomfortable and faced with prejudice from those around them, affecting their mental health. Elucidating the relationship between genetic influences on gonadal and brain development could give an insight into understanding this clinical condition. To explore this issue, a review of the literature database was carried out. Evidence suggests that abnormal biological processes, including mutations in certain genes, can lead to abnormal gonadal development, causing some fetuses to present with indifferent gonads and to be reassigned at birth to the default female sex. This disparity in genetic influences relates to an increased likelihood of a diagnosis of GD. An investigation into complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, involving androgen receptor (AR) gene mutation, suggests that such individuals also experience GD. It is known that the brains of males and females are different. Evidence further suggests that brain anatomy and neuronal signaling pathways are more closely aligned with a person’s perceived gender identity. Individuals who present with discordant gonadal and brain developments experience psychological challenges that may contribute to a state of unease or generalized dissatisfaction with their biological sex. These point to a possible biological and genetic underpinning of GD as stemming from a discordance between gonadal and brain development. However, not enough evidence has associated these differences with GD. Further research is required to elucidate the true mechanisms and possible inheritance pattern of GD for a better education and greater understanding by clinicians and the general public on perceptions regarding GD.Keywords: sex, gender, gender dysphoria, gonadal development, brain development |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T13:54:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-711ea48cfd674a139268b537e135944b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-318X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T13:54:32Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics |
| spelling | doaj.art-711ea48cfd674a139268b537e135944b2022-12-22T02:44:14ZengDove Medical PressAdolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics1179-318X2020-08-01Volume 11899955978Gender Dysphoria: A Review Investigating the Relationship Between Genetic Influences and Brain DevelopmentBoucher FJOChinnah TIFerdinand JO Boucher, Tudor I Chinnah University of Exeter, Medical School, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UKCorrespondence: Ferdinand JO Boucher Email fb339@exeter.ac.ukAbstract: Gender dysphoria (GD) is a facet of modern human biology which is believed to be derived from the sexual differentiation of the brain. GD “involves a conflict between a person’s physical or assigned gender and the gender with which he/she/they identify”, as defined in the DSM-5. Individuals report feeling uncomfortable and faced with prejudice from those around them, affecting their mental health. Elucidating the relationship between genetic influences on gonadal and brain development could give an insight into understanding this clinical condition. To explore this issue, a review of the literature database was carried out. Evidence suggests that abnormal biological processes, including mutations in certain genes, can lead to abnormal gonadal development, causing some fetuses to present with indifferent gonads and to be reassigned at birth to the default female sex. This disparity in genetic influences relates to an increased likelihood of a diagnosis of GD. An investigation into complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, involving androgen receptor (AR) gene mutation, suggests that such individuals also experience GD. It is known that the brains of males and females are different. Evidence further suggests that brain anatomy and neuronal signaling pathways are more closely aligned with a person’s perceived gender identity. Individuals who present with discordant gonadal and brain developments experience psychological challenges that may contribute to a state of unease or generalized dissatisfaction with their biological sex. These point to a possible biological and genetic underpinning of GD as stemming from a discordance between gonadal and brain development. However, not enough evidence has associated these differences with GD. Further research is required to elucidate the true mechanisms and possible inheritance pattern of GD for a better education and greater understanding by clinicians and the general public on perceptions regarding GD.Keywords: sex, gender, gender dysphoria, gonadal development, brain developmenthttps://www.dovepress.com/gender-dysphoria-a-review-investigating-the-relationship-between-genet-peer-reviewed-article-AHMTsexgendergender dysphoriagonadal developmentbrain development. |
| spellingShingle | Boucher FJO Chinnah TI Gender Dysphoria: A Review Investigating the Relationship Between Genetic Influences and Brain Development Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics sex gender gender dysphoria gonadal development brain development. |
| title | Gender Dysphoria: A Review Investigating the Relationship Between Genetic Influences and Brain Development |
| title_full | Gender Dysphoria: A Review Investigating the Relationship Between Genetic Influences and Brain Development |
| title_fullStr | Gender Dysphoria: A Review Investigating the Relationship Between Genetic Influences and Brain Development |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender Dysphoria: A Review Investigating the Relationship Between Genetic Influences and Brain Development |
| title_short | Gender Dysphoria: A Review Investigating the Relationship Between Genetic Influences and Brain Development |
| title_sort | gender dysphoria a review investigating the relationship between genetic influences and brain development |
| topic | sex gender gender dysphoria gonadal development brain development. |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/gender-dysphoria-a-review-investigating-the-relationship-between-genet-peer-reviewed-article-AHMT |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT boucherfjo genderdysphoriaareviewinvestigatingtherelationshipbetweengeneticinfluencesandbraindevelopment AT chinnahti genderdysphoriaareviewinvestigatingtherelationshipbetweengeneticinfluencesandbraindevelopment |