Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

The relationship between the lunar cycle and epileptic attacks and their treatment

Year 2024, Volume: 13 Issue: 1, 105 - 111, 20.03.2024

Hilal Aydın Oğuzhan Korkut Aslıhan Izol İbrahim Bucak

https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1274939

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential association between the phases of the moon and seizure attacks and treatment in patients diagnosed with epilepsy at a pediatric neurology clinic. Materials and Methods: 199 patients presenting to the Balıkesir University Medical Faculty pediatric neurology clinic, Turkey, diagnosed with epilepsy based on ILAE criteria were included in the study. The patients’ demographic characteristics, medications used, and family histories, and the frequency and duration of attacks were investigated retrospectively. Results: Analysis revealed that seizures were most frequent in the full moon (N=54, 27.1%), followed by the new moon (N=52, 26.1%) and first quarter (N=47, 23.6%), and were least common in the third quarter (N=46, 23.1%). No statistically significant variation was determined in terms of attack frequencies during the different lunar phases between patients receiving monotherapy and polytherapy (p=0.206). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that there is no relationship between the lunar cycle and the frequency of epileptic attacks.

Keywords

children epilepsy lunar cycle

References

  • Abell, G. O., & Greenspan, B. (1979). Human births and the phase of the moon. The New England Journal of Medicine, 300(2), 96. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm 197901113000223.
  • Baxendale, S., & Fisher, J. (2008) Moonstruck? The effect of the lunar cycle on seizures. Epilepsy & Behavior, 13(3), 549-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh. 2008.06.009.
  • Benbadis, S.R., Chang, S., Hunter, J., & Wang W. (2004) The influence of the full moon on seizure frequency: myth or reality? Epilepsy & Behavior, 5, 596–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2004.04.001.
  • Bevington, M. (2015) Lunar biological effects and the magnetosphere. Pathophysiology 22(4), 211–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2015.08.005.
  • Bruno, E., Bartoloni, A., Sofia, V., Rafael, F., Magnelli, D., Ortiz, E., et al (2011) Sociocultural dimension of epilepsy: an anthropological study among Guarani communities in Bolivia—an International League Against Epilepsy/International Bureau for Epilepsy/World Health Organization Global Campaign against Epilepsy regional project. Epilepsy & Behavior, 22(2), 346–51. https://doi.org/10.1016 /j.yebeh.2011.07.012.
  • Cajochen, C., Altanay-Ekici, S., Munch, M., Frey, S., Knoblauch, V. & Wirz-Justice, A. (2013) Evidence that the lunar cycle influences human sleep. Current Biology: CB 23(15), 1485–1488. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.cub.2013.06.029.
  • Calver, L.A., Stokes, B.J. & Isbister, G.K. (2009) The dark side of the moon. Medical Journal of Australia, 191(11-12), 692–4. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb03385.x.
  • Chakraborty, U. (2014) Effects of different phases of the lunar month on humans. Biological Rhythm Research, 3(45), 383-96.
  • Eisenburger, P., Schreiber, W., Vergeiner, G., Sterz, F., Holzer, M., Herkner, H., Havel, C., & Laggner, A. N. (2003). Lunar phases are not related to the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Resuscitation, 56(2), 187–189. https://doi.org/ 10. 1016/ s0300-9572(02)00298-8
  • Elger, C. E., & Schmidt, D. (2008). Modern management of epilepsy: a practical approach. Epilepsy & Behavior:E&B, 12(4),501–539. https://doi.org/10.10 16/j.yebeh.2008.01.003
  • Friis, M.L. & Lund, M. (1974) Stress convulsions. Archives of Neurology, 31(3), 155–159. https://doi.org/ 10.1001/archneur.1974.00490390037002
  • Gorvin, J. J., & Roberts, M. S. (1994). Lunar phases and psychiatric hospital admissions. Psychological Reports, 75(3 Pt 2), 1435–1440. https://doi.org/10.24 66/pr0.1994.75.3f.1435.
  • Kalra, S., Agrawal, S., & Sahay, M. (2012) The Reno-pineal axis: A novel role for melatonin. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 16, 192-94. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.93735.
  • Kim, S.H., Shim, H.S., Kang, S.M., Park, H., Jin, M.H., & Lee, J.H. (2019) Are there effects of lunar cycle on pediatric febrile seizure?: A single-center retrospective study (2005-2018). Science of The Total Environment, 20; 589-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. scitotenv.2019.07.077.
  • Langdon-Down, M., & Brain, W.R, (1929) Times of day in relation to convulsions in epilepsy. The Lancet 213(5516),1029-32.
  • Mason, T. (1997) Seclusion and the lunar cycles. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 35, 14–8. https://doi.org/10.3928/0279-3695-19970601-17.
  • Myers, D.E. (1995) Gravitational effects of the period of high tides and the new moon on lunacy. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 13(4), 529-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(95)80013-1.
  • Nissani, M. (1994). Phases of the Moon, Science Activities, 31:3, 26-29, DOI: 10.1080/00368121.1994.10113146
  • Oliven, J.F. (1943) Moonlight and nervous disorders: a historical study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 99, 579-584.
  • Owens, M., & McGowan, I.W. (2006) Madness and the moon: the lunar cycle and psychopathology. German Journal of Psychiatry, 9, 123–7.
  • Polychronopoulos, P., Argyriou, A.A., Sirrou, V., Huliara, V., Aplada, M., Gourzis, P., et al (2006) Lunar phases and seizure occurrence: just an ancient legend? Neurology 66, 1442–3. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000210482.75864.e8.
  • Raison, C.L., Klein, H.M., & Steckler, M. (1999) The moon and madness reconsidered. Journal of Affective Disorders, 53, 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(99)00016-6.
  • Rodin, E. (1991) Sleep deprivation and epileptological implications. Epilepsy Research Suppl. 2, 265-73.
  • Roosli, M., Juni, P., Braun-Fahrlander, C., Brinkhof, M.W., Low, N., & Egger, M. (2006) Sleepless night, the moon is bright: longitudinal study of lunar phase and sleep. Journal of Sleep Research ,15(2), 149–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2869.2006.00 520.x
  • Rüegg, S., Hunziker, P., Marsch, S., & Schindler, C. (2008) Association of environmental factors with the onset of status epilepticus. Epilepsy & Behavior, 12,66–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.yebeh.2007. 08.020,
  • Shouse, M.N., Da Silva, A.M., & Sammritano, M. (1996) Circadian rhythm, sleep and epilepsy. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology, 13, 32–50. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004691-199601000-00004.
  • Sion, B., & Bégou, M. (2021) Can chronopharmacology improve the therapeutic management of neurological diseases? Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 35(3), 564-81. https://doi.org/10. 1111 /fcp.12659.
  • Temkin, O. Falling sickness: a history of epilepsy from the Greeks to the beginnings of modern neurology. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press; 1994.
  • Turányi, C.Z., Rónai, K.Z., Zoller, R., Véber, O., Czir,a M.E., Újszászi, A., et al (2014) Association between lunar phase and sleep characteristics. Sleep Medicine, 15(11),1411–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2014.06.020.
  • Vance, D.E. (1995) Belief in lunar effects on human behavior. Psychological Reports, 76(1), 32–34. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1995.76.1.32
  • Vul, F.R. (1976) Lunar rhythms in the course of epileptic process. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova, 76, 1875–79.
  • Wang, S., Boston, R., Lawn, N., & Seneviratne, U. (2022) Revisiting an ancient legend: influence of the lunar cycle on occurrence of first-ever unprovoked seizures. Journal of Internal Medicine, 52(6),1057-60. https://doi.org/10. 1111/imj.15135.

Year 2024, Volume: 13 Issue: 1, 105 - 111, 20.03.2024

Hilal Aydın Oğuzhan Korkut Aslıhan Izol İbrahim Bucak

https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1274939

Abstract

References

  • Abell, G. O., & Greenspan, B. (1979). Human births and the phase of the moon. The New England Journal of Medicine, 300(2), 96. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm 197901113000223.
  • Baxendale, S., & Fisher, J. (2008) Moonstruck? The effect of the lunar cycle on seizures. Epilepsy & Behavior, 13(3), 549-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh. 2008.06.009.
  • Benbadis, S.R., Chang, S., Hunter, J., & Wang W. (2004) The influence of the full moon on seizure frequency: myth or reality? Epilepsy & Behavior, 5, 596–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2004.04.001.
  • Bevington, M. (2015) Lunar biological effects and the magnetosphere. Pathophysiology 22(4), 211–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2015.08.005.
  • Bruno, E., Bartoloni, A., Sofia, V., Rafael, F., Magnelli, D., Ortiz, E., et al (2011) Sociocultural dimension of epilepsy: an anthropological study among Guarani communities in Bolivia—an International League Against Epilepsy/International Bureau for Epilepsy/World Health Organization Global Campaign against Epilepsy regional project. Epilepsy & Behavior, 22(2), 346–51. https://doi.org/10.1016 /j.yebeh.2011.07.012.
  • Cajochen, C., Altanay-Ekici, S., Munch, M., Frey, S., Knoblauch, V. & Wirz-Justice, A. (2013) Evidence that the lunar cycle influences human sleep. Current Biology: CB 23(15), 1485–1488. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.cub.2013.06.029.
  • Calver, L.A., Stokes, B.J. & Isbister, G.K. (2009) The dark side of the moon. Medical Journal of Australia, 191(11-12), 692–4. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb03385.x.
  • Chakraborty, U. (2014) Effects of different phases of the lunar month on humans. Biological Rhythm Research, 3(45), 383-96.
  • Eisenburger, P., Schreiber, W., Vergeiner, G., Sterz, F., Holzer, M., Herkner, H., Havel, C., & Laggner, A. N. (2003). Lunar phases are not related to the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Resuscitation, 56(2), 187–189. https://doi.org/ 10. 1016/ s0300-9572(02)00298-8
  • Elger, C. E., & Schmidt, D. (2008). Modern management of epilepsy: a practical approach. Epilepsy & Behavior:E&B, 12(4),501–539. https://doi.org/10.10 16/j.yebeh.2008.01.003
  • Friis, M.L. & Lund, M. (1974) Stress convulsions. Archives of Neurology, 31(3), 155–159. https://doi.org/ 10.1001/archneur.1974.00490390037002
  • Gorvin, J. J., & Roberts, M. S. (1994). Lunar phases and psychiatric hospital admissions. Psychological Reports, 75(3 Pt 2), 1435–1440. https://doi.org/10.24 66/pr0.1994.75.3f.1435.
  • Kalra, S., Agrawal, S., & Sahay, M. (2012) The Reno-pineal axis: A novel role for melatonin. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 16, 192-94. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.93735.
  • Kim, S.H., Shim, H.S., Kang, S.M., Park, H., Jin, M.H., & Lee, J.H. (2019) Are there effects of lunar cycle on pediatric febrile seizure?: A single-center retrospective study (2005-2018). Science of The Total Environment, 20; 589-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. scitotenv.2019.07.077.
  • Langdon-Down, M., & Brain, W.R, (1929) Times of day in relation to convulsions in epilepsy. The Lancet 213(5516),1029-32.
  • Mason, T. (1997) Seclusion and the lunar cycles. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 35, 14–8. https://doi.org/10.3928/0279-3695-19970601-17.
  • Myers, D.E. (1995) Gravitational effects of the period of high tides and the new moon on lunacy. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 13(4), 529-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(95)80013-1.
  • Nissani, M. (1994). Phases of the Moon, Science Activities, 31:3, 26-29, DOI: 10.1080/00368121.1994.10113146
  • Oliven, J.F. (1943) Moonlight and nervous disorders: a historical study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 99, 579-584.
  • Owens, M., & McGowan, I.W. (2006) Madness and the moon: the lunar cycle and psychopathology. German Journal of Psychiatry, 9, 123–7.
  • Polychronopoulos, P., Argyriou, A.A., Sirrou, V., Huliara, V., Aplada, M., Gourzis, P., et al (2006) Lunar phases and seizure occurrence: just an ancient legend? Neurology 66, 1442–3. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000210482.75864.e8.
  • Raison, C.L., Klein, H.M., & Steckler, M. (1999) The moon and madness reconsidered. Journal of Affective Disorders, 53, 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(99)00016-6.
  • Rodin, E. (1991) Sleep deprivation and epileptological implications. Epilepsy Research Suppl. 2, 265-73.
  • Roosli, M., Juni, P., Braun-Fahrlander, C., Brinkhof, M.W., Low, N., & Egger, M. (2006) Sleepless night, the moon is bright: longitudinal study of lunar phase and sleep. Journal of Sleep Research ,15(2), 149–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2869.2006.00 520.x
  • Rüegg, S., Hunziker, P., Marsch, S., & Schindler, C. (2008) Association of environmental factors with the onset of status epilepticus. Epilepsy & Behavior, 12,66–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.yebeh.2007. 08.020,
  • Shouse, M.N., Da Silva, A.M., & Sammritano, M. (1996) Circadian rhythm, sleep and epilepsy. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology, 13, 32–50. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004691-199601000-00004.
  • Sion, B., & Bégou, M. (2021) Can chronopharmacology improve the therapeutic management of neurological diseases? Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 35(3), 564-81. https://doi.org/10. 1111 /fcp.12659.
  • Temkin, O. Falling sickness: a history of epilepsy from the Greeks to the beginnings of modern neurology. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press; 1994.
  • Turányi, C.Z., Rónai, K.Z., Zoller, R., Véber, O., Czir,a M.E., Újszászi, A., et al (2014) Association between lunar phase and sleep characteristics. Sleep Medicine, 15(11),1411–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2014.06.020.
  • Vance, D.E. (1995) Belief in lunar effects on human behavior. Psychological Reports, 76(1), 32–34. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1995.76.1.32
  • Vul, F.R. (1976) Lunar rhythms in the course of epileptic process. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova, 76, 1875–79.
  • Wang, S., Boston, R., Lawn, N., & Seneviratne, U. (2022) Revisiting an ancient legend: influence of the lunar cycle on occurrence of first-ever unprovoked seizures. Journal of Internal Medicine, 52(6),1057-60. https://doi.org/10. 1111/imj.15135.
There are 32 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Health Care Administration
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Hilal Aydın 0000-0002-2448-1270

Oğuzhan Korkut 0000-0002-2057-4197

Aslıhan Izol 0000-0002-9957-1828

İbrahim Bucak 0000-0002-3074-6327

Publication Date March 20, 2024
Submission Date April 1, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2024 Volume: 13 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Aydın, H., Korkut, O., Izol, A., Bucak, İ. (2024). The relationship between the lunar cycle and epileptic attacks and their treatment. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 13(1), 105-111. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1274939
 Download Cover Image

International Peer Reviewed Journal

The journal adopts Open Access Policy and does not request article proccessing charge (APC), article publishing charge or any other charges.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.