Deviance-related long-latency responses at the electrodes F3, Fz, and F4.

<p>Waveforms for reversed-standard (blue) and deviant (red) stimuli as well as their corresponding difference waveforms (deviant—reversed-standard; black) are shown. The MMN peaks at approximately 120 ms after stimulus onset, yielding a significant difference between the reversed-standard and deviant stimuli (<i>p</i> < 0.001).</p

Middle-latency responses at the F3, Fz, and F4 electrodes.

<p>MLR waveforms are shown in response to reversed-standard (blue) and deviant (red) stimuli. The Na component was significantly enhanced by the deviant stimuli (corrected p < 0.005). Also, a significant attenuation to the deviant compared to reversed-standard stimuli was observed at the Nb component (corrected p < 0.005).</p

Scalp topographies for MLR and LLR.

<p>Topographic maps are shown for middle-latency (Na, Pa, and Nb component) and long-latency responses to deviant and reversed-standard stimuli, and their corresponding difference waveform (deviant—reversed-standard). * <i>p</i> < 0.01, ** <i>p</i> < 0.001</p

Grand average power spectrum of FFR at CPz electrode yielding a maximum peak at the modulation frequency (410 Hz).

<p>The waveforms are shown for reversed-standard (blue) and deviant (red) stimuli. The grey shaded bar denotes the window of the mean power used for statistics (405–415 Hz). The arrow on the x-axis indicates the modulation frequency (410 Hz). Note the significant enhancement of the spectral power at 410 Hz elicited by deviant stimuli (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p

Mean and Standard Error (in parentheses) of MLR component amplitudes (in microvolts) at Fz.

<p>Mean and Standard Error (in parentheses) of MLR component amplitudes (in microvolts) at Fz.</p

Severe Psychological Distress of Evacuees in Evacuation Zone Caused by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

<div><p>Background</p><p>Following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has continued to affect the mental health status of residents in the evacuation zone. To examine the mental health status of evacuee after the nuclear accident, we conducted the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey as part of the ongoing Fukushima Health Management Survey.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We measured mental health status using the Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale (K6) in a total of 73,569 (response rate: 40.7%) evacuees aged 15 and over who lived in the evacuation zone in Fukushima Prefecture. We then dichotomized responders using a 12/13 cutoff on the K6, and compared the proportion of K6 scores ≥13 and ≤12 in each risk factor including demographic information, socioeconomic variables, and disaster-related variables. We also performed bivariate analyses between mental health status and possible risk factors using the chi-square test. Furthermore, we performed multivariate regression analysis using modified Poisson regression models.</p><p>Results</p><p>The median K6 score was 5 (interquartile range: 1–10). The number of psychological distress was 8,717 (14.6%). We found that significant differences in the prevalence of psychological distress by almost all survey items, including disaster-related risk factors, most of which were also associated with increased Prevalence ratios (PRs). Additionally, we found that psychological distress in each evacuation zone was significantly positively associated with the radiation levels in their environment (<i>r</i> = 0.768, <i>p</i> = 0.002).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear accident likely caused severe psychological distress among residents in the evacuation zone in Fukushima Prefecture. The close association between psychological distress and the radiation levels shows that the nuclear accident seriously influenced the mental health of the residents, which might be exacerbated by increased risk perception. To provide prompt and appropriate support, continued psychosocial intervention for evacuees is strongly recommended.</p></div

The association of different risk factors with psychological distress (Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale, K6)¹.

<p>The association of different risk factors with psychological distress (Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale, K6)<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0158821#t002fn001" target="_blank">¹</a>.</p

Flow of participant selection.

<p>Flow of participant selection.</p

Participants’ demographic information and association with psychological distress (Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale, K6)¹.

<p>Participants’ demographic information and association with psychological distress (Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale, K6)<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0158821#t001fn001" target="_blank">¹</a>.</p

Multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (Cis) for psychological distress on modified Poisson regression analyses.

<p>Multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (Cis) for psychological distress on modified Poisson regression analyses.</p