Professor Hartwig R. Siebner from the DRCMR has together with researcher from Christian-Albrechts-Universität in Kiel, Germany, explored how sexual preference is revealed in functional MRI using erotic visual stimuli. The group found fMRI to be at least as sensitive as phallometry, which is used as evidence in trials, but which is criticized. Also, the brain response of homosexuals was found to be similar to that of heterosexuals, confirming that the brains of homosexuals are normal, only tuned to different stimuli.
The paper was published in Journal of Sexual Medicine: Assessment of sexual orientation using the hemodynamic brain response to visual sexual stimuli'; doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01233.x
An article in Danish summarizing the study was published by Thomas Hoffmann at Videnskab.dk: Hjerneskanninger afslører din sex-fantasi
A concensus paper written by 31 recognized international experts has just been published with Professor Hartwig R. Siebner from the DRCMR as first author. The paper serves as an important reference for future work in this rapidly evolving research field.
The paper is available at the Brain Stimulation website, and it is entitled
Concensus paper: Combining transcranial stimulation with neuroimaging.
Authors: Hartwig R. Siebner, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,