Biomedical research on sex, gender, and gender incongruence is a rapidly evolving field that addresses the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors. A significant issue within this domain is the incongruence between gender identity and birth-assigned sex, which can lead to gender dysphoria in transgender and non-binary individuals. This dysphoria often prompts the pursuit of medical treatments, such as gender-affirmative hormone therapy, to align one's physical appearance with their gender identity. While these interventions are known to improve psycho-social functioning and mental health, their impact on brain structure, function, and various physiological and epigenetic processes remains underexplored. Recent studies have highlighted the potential effects of these treatments, particularly puberty blockers, on adolescent brain development and DNA methylation. However, there is a notable gap in understanding the long-term consequences of these interventions, necessitating further investigation to inform clinical practices and improve outcomes for individuals with gender incongruence.
This research topic aims to deepen our understanding of the effects of hormonal interventions on the mental and physical health trajectories of individuals experiencing gender incongruence. By collating both human and animal studies, this Research Topic seeks to elucidate the influence of these treatments on brain development, behavior, and epigenetic changes The goal is to address critical questions regarding the long-term impacts of puberty suppression, the role of sex hormones in cognitive and perceptual-motor functioning, and the broader psycho-social and affective outcomes of hormone therapy.
To gather further insights into the effects of hormonal interventions on individuals with gender incongruence, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- GnRHa treatment effects on brain development and behavior
- Effects of estradiol and/or testosterone on cognitive and perceptual-motor functioning
- Hormone intervention effects on psycho-social and affective functioning
- (Epi)genetic changes due to sex hormone manipulation
Biomedical research on sex, gender, and gender incongruence is a rapidly evolving field that addresses the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors. A significant issue within this domain is the incongruence between gender identity and birth-assigned sex, which can lead to gender dysphoria in transgender and non-binary individuals. This dysphoria often prompts the pursuit of medical treatments, such as gender-affirmative hormone therapy, to align one's physical appearance with their gender identity. While these interventions are known to improve psycho-social functioning and mental health, their impact on brain structure, function, and various physiological and epigenetic processes remains underexplored. Recent studies have highlighted the potential effects of these treatments, particularly puberty blockers, on adolescent brain development and DNA methylation. However, there is a notable gap in understanding the long-term consequences of these interventions, necessitating further investigation to inform clinical practices and improve outcomes for individuals with gender incongruence.
This research topic aims to deepen our understanding of the effects of hormonal interventions on the mental and physical health trajectories of individuals experiencing gender incongruence. By collating both human and animal studies, this Research Topic seeks to elucidate the influence of these treatments on brain development, behavior, and epigenetic changes The goal is to address critical questions regarding the long-term impacts of puberty suppression, the role of sex hormones in cognitive and perceptual-motor functioning, and the broader psycho-social and affective outcomes of hormone therapy.
To gather further insights into the effects of hormonal interventions on individuals with gender incongruence, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- GnRHa treatment effects on brain development and behavior
- Effects of estradiol and/or testosterone on cognitive and perceptual-motor functioning
- Hormone intervention effects on psycho-social and affective functioning
- (Epi)genetic changes due to sex hormone manipulation