Lunar phases and seizure occurrence: just an ancient legend?

Neurology. 2006 May 9;66(9):1442-3. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000210482.75864.e8.

Abstract

The authors retrospectively reviewed all neurologic records of an emergency unit from 1999 to 2003 to identify a potential association between lunar phases and seizure occurrence. Overall 859 patients admitted for seizure occurrence were divided into the four quarters of the synodic month according to moon phases. A significant clustering of seizures around the full moon period was observed, supporting the ancient belief of periodic increased seizure frequency during full-moon days.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Culture*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Moon*
  • Nurses / psychology
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data
  • Periodicity*
  • Physicians / psychology
  • Retrospective Studies