Transgender Identities and the Brain: What Do We Know?

Thursday, May 1, 2025, 12:00 AM - Sunday, April 30, 2028, 11:59 PM


AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.50 hours), ABP MOC Part 2 (0.50 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.50 hours)

**If you intend to claim CME credit for this course, you must be logged in to CloudCME (a WSU email address is not required). If you have trouble, please contact [email protected].**

Two refrains are often heard in youth gender medicine: that a female can be born with a male brain (or vice-versa) or that transgender brains are uniquely different from others’ brains. But does structural brain imaging data and neuropsychology support these claims? In this course, participants will be introduced to the types of insights that brain imaging can offer as a tool and the limitations of interpreting these findings in transgender research. Topics include the challenges of MRI studies, the continuum of brain differences rather than strictly male-female categories, the potential effect of sexual orientation and hormones on brain structures, and the impact of challenging experiences and environment on overall brain development. Participants will also critically evaluate the limitations of current studies, including methodological challenges and failure to replicate findings, and the importance of avoiding linear interpretations of brain imaging data.

This course includes one video* and one post-test. Upon completion, you may download your certificate from the "My CME>Evaluations & Certificates" menu above. Alternately, you can download a CME transcript from the "My CME>Transcript" menu above.

**Select "Launch Course" above to begin.**

About the Speaker

Sallie Baxendale PhD (U.K.) is a professor of clinical neuropsychology at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and the lead consultant neuropsychologist for the Epilepsy Surgery Program at the National Hospital for Neurology, Queen Square. She has authored over 190 academic publications and was awarded the International Neuropsychological Society Arthur Benton Prize in 2018 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to neuropsychology. Her research and clinical interests focus on understanding the multifactorial nature of cognitive impairments in clinical populations.

Series Overview

Recent research has prompted significant shifts in international consensus on safe and effective care for gender-dysphoric youth. This CME series is led by prominent clinical experts and researchers specializing in pediatric gender medicine and related fields. It presents perspectives, research, and clinical experience primarily from Western European countries, providing clinicians with guidance on the benefits, risks, and ethical implications of medical interventions for gender-dysphoric and gender-questioning youth. The series aims to support informed clinical decision-making that prioritizes patient safety and informed consent.

*Note: Some videos may have been edited during the development of this CME course. The views, opinions, and beliefs expressed within the video presentations are solely those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or beliefs of the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

1. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of brain and neuroimaging as a tool for studying gender identification
2. Analyze the evidence for and against the concept of a distinct "transgender brain" based on structural MRI studies.
3. Critically assess methodological challenges in neuroimaging studies, including sample size limitations, replication issues, and confounding variables.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine. The Washington State University (WSU) Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes viewing all videos in entirety, completion of post-tests with feedback, and participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 0.50 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

Please assure that your CloudCME Profile includes your first and last name, month and day of birthdate, and ABP Diplomat ID. These are required for transmission of ABP MOC learner completion data. You can view and edit your profile above under My CME>Profile.

Accessibility

WSU College of Medicine Continuing Medical Education (CME) is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008. If you have needs that require accommodation please contact the CME Unit at [email protected]

WSU Notice of Nondiscrimination

Please visit the Office of Compliance and Civil Rights to view Washington State University's policies.

WSU Institutional Neutrality

At Washington State University, we are committed to fostering an environment where diverse ideas and perspectives can flourish. As such, the university will maintain a practice of neutrality and will not take a position on contentious political or social issues, except in rare circumstances. Please visit WSU's Office of the President for more information.

Disclaimer

The material presented in this continuing medical education program is being made available for educational purposes only. This material is not intended to represent the best or only methods or procedures appropriate for the medical situation discussed; rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the authors or presenters, which may be helpful or of interest to other practitioners. This program does not represent or speak on behalf of Washington State University and/ or Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Participants should carefully consider all available scientific data before acting on knowledge gained through this activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.