Integrating Body Dimensions into Neuroimaging Research: A Systematic Review of Their Impact on Brain and Spinal Cord Metrics

Introduction: Body dimensions, including height, weight, and overall body size, are known to influence brain and spinal cord metrics, yet their systematic inclusion in neuroimaging studies remains limited. Integrating these variables into neuroimaging research could enhance the understanding of how individual body characteristics shape the central nervous system (CNS). This systematic review aims to explore the impact of body dimensions on brain and spinal cord metrics, focusing on their potential to improve the accuracy of neuroimaging outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted across major databases for studies published between 2010 and 2023 that investigated the relationship between body dimensions and neuroimaging metrics, including brain volume, cortical thickness, and spinal cord cross-sectional area (CSA). Eligible studies included those using MRI and DTI modalities. Python and R were employed for statistical analysis, calculating effect sizes and assessing heterogeneity among studies to pool the results and examine trends.

Results: A total of 150 studies, involving 12,000 participants, were included in this review. Meta-analytic results demonstrated that height was positively correlated with total brain volume (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) and cortical gray matter volume (r = 0.34, p < 0.01), suggesting that taller individuals tend to have larger brain structures. Weight was moderately associated with decreased white matter integrity in both the brain and spinal cord (r = -0.26, p = 0.002). Additionally, height was positively correlated with spinal cord CSA (r = 0.31, p = 0.004), indicating a relationship between body stature and spinal cord size.

Conclusion : Body dimensions significantly influence neuroimaging metrics, particularly brain volume, cortical thickness, and spinal cord CSA. These findings highlight the need to incorporate body size variables into neuroimaging study designs to enhance the accuracy of brain and spinal cord assessments. Future research should further investigate how integrating body dimensions can refine the interpretation of neuroimaging data and improve clinical outcomes in CNS-related disorders.