Magnetic resonance-based morphometry: a window into structural plasticity of the brain

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Traditional methods lack in-vivo temporal brain study capabilities.
• Magnetic resonance morphometry is a rapidly advancing field in clinical neuroscience.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review recent progress in magnetic resonance morphometry.
• Highlight its potential in studying brain morphology and function.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for brain morphometry.
• Analysis of structural changes in grey and white matter.

Main Results:

• Detected structural differences in brain diseases.
• Discovered brain's rapid structural adaptation to activity.
• Demonstrated potential for studying disease states and therapy effects.

Conclusions:

• Scanner variability hinders data pooling.
• Cellular basis of structural plasticity remains unknown.
• Overcoming limitations will enable multicenter trials for brain diseases.