Sexual orientation related differences in cortical thickness in male individuals

Abstract

Previous neuroimaging studies demonstrated sex and also sexual orientation related structural and functional differences in the human brain. Genetic information and effects of sex hormones are assumed to contribute to the male/female differentiation of the brain, and similar effects could play a role in processes influencing human's sexual orientation. However, questions about the origin and development of a person's sexual orientation remain unanswered, and research on sexual orientation related neurobiological characteristics is still very limited. To contribute to a better understanding of the neurobiology of sexual orientation, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to compare regional cortical thickness (Cth) and subcortical volumes of homosexual men (hoM), heterosexual men (heM) and heterosexual women (heW). hoM (and heW) had thinner cortices primarily in visual areas and smaller thalamus volumes than heM, in which hoM and heW did not differ. Our results support previous studies, which suggest cerebral differences between hoM and heM in regions, where sex differences have been reported, which are frequently proposed to underlie biological mechanisms. Thus, our results contribute to a better understanding of the neurobiology of sexual orientation.

Figure 1. Sex and sexual orientation related differences in Cth.

Freesurfer parcellated cortical ROIs of the right hemisphere in which a pattern of sex and sexual orientation related differences in Cth were found are highlighted (heM> both, hoM and heW; with heW  =  hoM). Yellow: cuneus, red: pericalcarine, green: lingual and blue: lateral orbitofrontal ROI.