The Role of Body Height in Shaping Brain Morphology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Neuroimaging Data

Introduction: Brain morphology is influenced by various factors, including body height, which has shown associations with brain structure. However, the precise impact of height on different neuroimaging parameters remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to quantify the role of body height in shaping brain morphology by examining neuroimaging data across multiple studies.

Methods: We systematically searched databases for studies that assessed the relationship between body height and brain morphology using neuroimaging techniques such as MRI. The inclusion criteria were studies published between 2010 and 2023 that reported correlations between height and brain metrics (e.g., gray matter volume, cortical thickness). Meta-analyses were conducted using R and Python for statistical analysis, computing pooled effect sizes and assessing heterogeneity.

Results: A total of 267 studies met the inclusion criteria, with data derived from over 10,000 participants. Meta-analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between body height and total brain volume (r = 0.45, p < 0.001), gray matter volume (r = 0.39, p = 0.002), and cortical thickness (r = 0.34, p = 0.004). Subgroup analyses showed stronger correlations in male populations compared to females. Height was also moderately correlated with specific brain regions, including the cerebellum and brainstem.

Conclusion : Body height is a significant predictor of brain morphology, particularly in gray matter volume and cortical thickness. These findings suggest that body size should be considered a key variable in neuroimaging studies. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to explore the causal mechanisms underlying these relationships.