Does the lunar phase have an effect on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?

Vera C Terra-Bustamante; Carla A Scorza; Marly de Albuquerque; Américo C Sakamoto; Hélio R Machado; Ricardo M Arida; Esper A Cavalheiro; Fulvio A Scorza

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2008.11.013

Does the lunar phase have an effect on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?

Epilepsy Behav. 2009 Feb;14(2):404-6. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2008.11.013. Epub 2008 Dec 25.

Authors

Vera C Terra-Bustamante¹, Carla A Scorza, Marly de Albuquerque, Américo C Sakamoto, Hélio R Machado, Ricardo M Arida, Esper A Cavalheiro, Fulvio A Scorza

Affiliation

¹ Departamento de Neurologia, Psiquiatria e Psicologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

PMID: 19110074
DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2008.11.013

Abstract

The incidence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in our epilepsy unit over an 8-year period was analyzed to determine a possible association between phase of the moon and SUDEP. Analysis revealed that the number of SUDEPs was highest in full moon (70%), followed by waxing moon (20%) and new moon (10%). No SUDEPs occurred during the waning cycle. These preliminary findings suggest that the full moon appears to correlate with SUDEP.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Child, Preschool
Death, Sudden / epidemiology*
Epilepsy / psychology*
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Moon*
Retrospective Studies
Seasons*