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EEG Abnormalities and Transsexualism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

J. Hoenig  and
J. C. Kenna
J. Hoenig
Affiliation:
Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada A1B 3V6
J. C. Kenna
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Manchester, U.K.
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Summary

A consecutive series of 46 transsexuals, 35 men and 11 women, showed EEG abnormalities in 48 per cent and borderline abnormalities in another 24 per cent. Women showed the abnormalities in a significantly higher proportion than men. Those with the EEG abnormalities were slightly younger at inception, suggesting that they sought help at an earlier age, and their transsexualism became obvious to their families earlier. Those with personality disorders had EEG abnormalities more frequently, but not significantly so. This group of transsexual patients seemed to have a low sex drive, and those with abnormal EEGs even more so, but again the differences were not significant.

The possible significance of these findings for the understanding of transsexualism is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 134 , Issue 3 , March 1979 , pp. 293 - 300
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1979 

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