Superstitions about the influence of the Moon on the brain and, in particular, on epilepsy and seizures, have been around for centuries, but according to new research there may be something in them after all.
Researchers discovered that the number of epileptic seizures - which are related to electrical activity in the brain - goes down when the Moon is at its brightest. They examined the record of seizures in a dedicated epilepsy unit, in which every seizure in each 24-hour period is logged for all patients.
The researchers compared the timing of each seizure with the brightness of the Moon. Their results showed that during the brighter phases of the Moon's cycle there were fewer epileptic seizures in the corresponding 24-hour period. 'These findings suggest that epileptic seizures are less likely to occur on brighter nights,' says Dr Sallie Baxendale of the Institute of Neurology at University College London, who led the study.
Experts believe the effect of the hormone melatonin, which is secreted only at night and in the dark, may be implicated in triggering seizures. (Daily Mail)
