The study of vertebrate brain morphology has entered a transformative era. While traditional neuroimaging has long relied on rectilinear volume or labeled atlases, these methods often struggle with the “correspondence problem”—the extreme anatomical variation of the human cortical surface. At the Institute for Neuroplasticity Research, we are closely following the shift toward Generalized Procrustes Surface Analysis (GPSA). This automated, point-wise approach allows us to quantify shape changes without the limitations of manually chosen landmarks, offering a more sensitive marker for brain health than behavioral scales alone.

Most exciting is the application of these techniques to “Positive” Neuroplasticity. While we often associate cortical change with pathology, MRI evidence now confirms that mental training, mindfulness, and motor coordination can induce structural morphological shifts. Our focus remains on how these “soft” anatomical structures adapt to environmental demands and specific training stimuli, moving beyond simple growth to include complex geometric reconfigurations of the cortical surface.

A primary area of interest is Quadrato Motor Training (QMT)—a whole-body mindful practice designed to improve coordination and cognitive flexibility. Previous data from the MOTOBRAIN project has already highlighted significant neurophysiological changes in white matter integrity following QMT. However, the next frontier lies in the cortical surface itself. By utilizing the Procrustes Surface Metric (PSM), researchers can now track how a longitudinal practice of QMT physically reshapes the brain’s geometry.

The implications for “Healthy Aging” and neuro-regeneration are profound. If we can precisely measure how mindful movement influences the expansion or folding patterns of the cerebral cortex, we can better architect interventions for cognitive longevity. We are no longer just looking at whether the brain changes, but how its very shape evolves to meet the demands of higher-order cognitive processing.

As we continue to de-orphanize the pathways of neuroplasticity, integrating genomic perspectives with these morphological markers will be key. Understanding the genetic underpinnings of why certain individuals show higher “shape-fluidity” in response to training like QMT will allow for truly personalized regenerative medicine. The goal is to move from reactive treatment to proactive, shape-based optimization of the vertebrate lineage.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joa.14104