Korean researchers have for the first time found abnormal brain activities in rape victims.

A team from Ajou University Hospital's Department of Nuclear Medicine studied the brain activities of a dozen rape victims between the ages of 19 through 51, and found that they had less blood flow in the hippocampus, which plays significant roles in forming memories and controlling emotional behavior.

The researchers said the response was the brain's way of trying to suppress memories of trauma.

The after-effects include memory loss, heart murmurs and sleep disturbance, which are often seen in people who have experienced war.