Body size effect on brain volume in Korean youth

Abstract

The relationship between human body size and brain size is still controversial, although brain size increases with body size across taxonomic levels. The magnetic resonance imaging volumetric analysis of the brain was performed in healthy 20-year old Koreans to investigate the effect of body size on brain volume. The whole brain volume was significantly correlated with body height in male (r=0.37, P < 0.05) but not in female participants. The height effect on whole brain volume was increased considerably when data from both male and female participants were combined (r=0.57, P < 0.05). The cerebellum volume was moderately correlated with body height in female (r=0.43, P < 0.05) but not in male participants. The difference between sexes of the effect of body size on the brain needs to be investigated further. NeuroReport 16:2029-2032 (c) 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.