Abstract #2833

Xu N, Li Y, Fitzpatrick J, Morgan V, Pickens D, Dawant B

As an extension of work on computer-generated phantoms, more accurate, realistic phantoms are generated by integrating image distortions and signal loss caused by susceptibility variations. With the addition of real motions and activations determined from actual fMRI studies, these phantoms can be used by the fMRI community to assess post processing algorithms such as motion correction, distortion correction, and signal loss compensation methods with higher fidelity. We perform activation analysis on these phantoms based on a block paradigm design using SPM, and the results demonstrate that susceptibility artifacts affect activation detection and thus represent a critical component of phantom generation.