2021 Volume 37 Issue 1 Pages 61-67
Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and surface-based morphometry (SBM) done by means of MRI have provided new insights into the neuroanatomical basis for subjects with several conditions. Recently, VBM has been applied to investigate not only regional volumetric changes but also voxel-wise maps of fractional anisotropy (FA) computed from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Furthermore, we can acquire structural networks using recently introduced technique of source-based morphometry, which applies an independent component analysis (ICA) to a segmented image, arranges voxels into sets that contain similar information, and acquires common morphological features of the gray matter concentration among individuals at the network level. The aim of this article is to review the recent work using VBM and SBM technique in particular focusing on pediatric MRI. VBM approach detects the structural brain abnormalities that appear normal on conventional MRI. Thus, in the future, large cohort studies to monitor whole brain changes on a VBM basis will facilitate further understanding of the neuropathology of several pediatric conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
