Gray matter volume correlates of resilience: a coordinate-based meta-analysis

Introduction Psychological resilience refers to the capacity to maintain or regain functioning in the face of adversity, yet its structural substrates remain poorly characterized. Methods We conducted a coordinate-based meta-analysis of whole-brain voxel-based morphometry studies to identify gray-matter markers of resilience. Eleven eligible studies ( n = 2,993) were synthesized using MKDA. Results Across studies reporting increased gray matter volume, a cluster showed convergence on the medial frontal wall, extending from the superior and medial frontal gyrus into the dorsal cingulate, k = 11 studies, family-wise error–corrected at p < 0.05 (10,000 permutations). Discussion The findings implicate medial frontal–cingulate architecture as a convergent correlate of resilience, consistent with models of fronto-limbic regulatory control. Despite the modest study base and variability in definitions of resilience across studies, this meta-analysis identifies the medial frontal–cingulate hub as a reproducible structural marker of resilience, offering a concrete target for translational and interventional research.