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Abstract #1213

High-Field MR Imaging Reveals an Acute Impact on Brain Function in Survivors of the Wenchuan Earthquake in China

Su Lui1, Xiaoqi Huang2, Long Chen1, Hehan Tang1, Tijiang Zhang1, Xiuli Li1, Dongming Li1, Ling Zou1, Raymend C Chan3, Andrea Mechelli4, John A. Sweeney5, Qiyong Gong1

1Huaxi MR Research Center, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; 2Huaxi MR Research Center, Department of Radiology,, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; 3Institute of Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences; 4Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience; 5University of Illinois at Chicago


Amplitude of low-frequency (0.010.8 Hz) fluctuations (ALFF) in conjunction with the analysis of the resting state functional brain connectivity was applied to both regional cerebral function and functional integration in physically healthy trauma survivors shortly after Wenchuan earthquake. Forty-four healthy survivors and 32 age, sex, height, weight, handedness and years of education matched controls were recruited, and were scanned using an EPI sequence on a 3T MR imaging system. For first time, we characterized that survivors show hyperactivity and decreased functional connectivity in prefrontal-limbic and striatal brain systems shortly after the massively traumatic sequelae of the earthquake.