Relationship between understanding of gender and LGBTQ and brain health with a focus on the triple network

Abstract

SummaryVarious studies have been conducted mainly in the fields of social sciences to address the lack of understanding of diversity in Japan regarding gender, LGBTQ, etc., but little progress has been made in promoting diversity in society. In this study, we aimed to clarify the specific brain states of people who have a high understanding of diversity (gender and LGBTQ) using the gray matter brain healthcare quotient (GM-BHQ), a brain health index obtained by MRI image analysis, and the results of a psychological questionnaire on diversity. As a result of the analysis, the GM-BHQ of the Central Executive Network (CEN) tended to be significantly higher than the estimated values from age, gender, and BMI in the group with a high understanding of gender equality. GM-BHQ of the Salience Network (SN) also tended to be relatively high. In addition, the GM-BHQ of SN, default mode network (DMN), and CEN, as well as whole brain GM-BHQ were significantly higher among those with a high understanding of LGBTQ than the estimated values. These results suggest that understanding diversity requires a healthy brain centered on the triple network that governs rational judgment, emotional adjustment, recognition of others, self-recognition, and value judgment of behavior.