Gray Matter Differences Due to Weeks of Excessive Long-Distance Running & After Recovery Revealed by Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM)

Arthur Peter Wunderlich¹, Sonja Faust², Wolfgang Freund¹, Uwe Schtz¹, Christan Billich¹

This paper deals with the investigaton of the gray matter brain plasticity as observed in candidates of an ultra-long-distance run. Before, during and after the trans-European foot race, some competitors were examined with high-resolution MRI. Data were analysed by means of voxel-based morphometry. Volume changes were most significant in the second half of the race. Gray matter volume reduction of visual association fields was the most prominent finding. Local volume gain was detected in Brodman Areas 10 and 42, which have been associated to volition. The changes were reversible upon follow-up after six months.