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Gray Matter Volume

Meaning

Gray Matter Volume (GMV) is a quantitative measure of the total amount of gray matter tissue within the central nervous system, primarily the brain and spinal cord. Gray matter is composed largely of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, glial cells, and capillaries, and is crucial for processing information. In clinical and research settings, GMV is often assessed using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and is used as a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases and hormonal influence on brain health. Changes in this volume can correlate with cognitive function and mental well-being.