Assessing the impact of posture on brain volume in healthy subjects with a rotatable cryogen-free 1.5T superconducting MRI

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for detailed visualization of brain structure and function. However, conventional supine imaging limits the exploration of how posture impacts brain morphology. While recent advancements in upright MRI systems have enabled studies of postural effects on various body systems, investigations into posture’s impact on brain anatomy remain limited. Method: This study investigated volumetric differences between upright and supine positions to establish a baseline for future investigations into how posture influenced brain structure. Thirty-one healthy volunteers underwent scans using a rotatable cryogen-free 1.5T MRI scanner in supine and upright postures. The 3D T1-weighted MP-RAGE brain images were segmented into 109 regions, and volume changes across these regions were analyzed. Result: Volumetric analysis across 109 brain regions in both supine and upright postures shows minimal changes, with most regions displaying variations within a ±5% range. The coefficient of variation (COV) indicated that posture-induced volume changes are even smaller than the measurement precision of the method. These findings provide a solid groundwork for future studies on the effects of posture on brain structure. Conclusion: The majority of brain regions exhibited no significant volumetric differences between supine and upright positions, suggesting that brain structure remains consistent and stable across different postures. These findings offer valuable insights for future research on the postural influences on brain morphology.