Brain Health in Transgender Adults Study
This study is looking at how the brain changes in the first few months after transgender adults start gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). Researchers want to see if GAHT affects blood flow in the brain, the brain's structure and connections, and how well the brain performs tasks like memory and attention. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 45 years old, plan to start GAHT, and meet other health requirements. The study aims to understand these brain changes by comparing measurements taken before and after starting GAHT. The current recruitment status is unclear.
- Study design
- This is an observational study planning to enroll 72 participants (36 assigned male at birth and 36 assigned female at birth). It does not involve a specific phase of drug development.
- What's involved
- You would have two visits: one before starting GAHT and another 4-6 months after. Each visit includes a 1.5-hour MRI scan, body composition and cognitive tests, and an optional exercise test.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Participants will be followed for up to 6 months after starting GAHT, with measurements taken at baseline and again after 4-6 months.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Brain Health in Transgender Adults
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- William Schrage, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Wisconsin, Madison
Who to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
Do you actually qualify for this trial?
Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.
Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Change Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF)baseline and up to 6 months (after 4-6 months of continuous GAHT)
CBF at rest and in response to cognitive stressors.
- Change in Brain Structurebaseline and up to 6 months (after 4-6 months of continuous GAHT)
Grey matter and White matter volumes.
- Change in Brain Connectivitybaseline and up to 6 months (after 4-6 months of continuous GAHT)
Measured using MRI.
- Change in Cognitive Function: Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attentionbaseline and up to 6 months (after 4-6 months of continuous GAHT)
NIH Toolbox to assess neurocognitive function. The Flanker test is a measure of executive function and is scored using a T-score where 100 is the average, higher scores indicate better performance.
- Change in Cognitive Function: Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Testbaseline and up to 6 months (after 4-6 months of continuous GAHT)
NIH Toolbox to assess neurocognitive function. The Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test measures how many correct responses the participant has within 90 seconds. There is a maximum of 130 items.
- Change in Cognitive Function: List Sorting Working Memory Testbaseline and up to 6 months (after 4-6 months of continuous GAHT)
NIH Toolbox to assess neurocognitive function. The List Sorting Working Memory Test is a measure of recall and sorting. Participants scores reflect the number of items recalled and appropriately sorted up to 28 items maximum.
- Change in Cognitive Function: Dimensional Change Card Sort Testbaseline and up to 6 months (after 4-6 months of continuous GAHT)
NIH Toolbox to assess neurocognitive function. The Dimensional Change Card Sort Test measures accuracy: the number of accurate responses, up to a maximum of 40.
- Change in Cognitive Function: Picture Vocabulary Testbaseline and up to 6 months (after 4-6 months of continuous GAHT)
NIH Toolbox to assess neurocognitive function. The Picture Vocabulary Test has the participant hear a word and then pick from one of four pictures that best represents the word. It is scored using a T-score where 100 is the average, higher scores indicate better performance.