The fMRI correlates of visuo-spatial abilities: sex differences and gender dysphoria.

ABSTRACT: The contribution of brain regions to visuospatial abilities according to sex differences and gender identity is inconsistently described. One potential explaining factor may be the different tasks employed requiring a variable load of working memory and other cognitive resources. Here we asked to 20 cis and 20 transgender participants to undergo functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging during performance of a judgement line of orientation test that was adapted to explore the basic visuospatial processing while minimizing the working memory load. We show that V1 activation may be viewed as a brain area with enhanced activation in males, regardless of participants' gender identity. On its turn, gender identity exclusively influences the visuospatial processing of extrastriate visual areas (V5)

SUBMITTER: Gavazzi G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9010387 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature