London, November 22: There may be something in the centuries-old superstitions about the influence of the Moon on epilepsy and seizures, says a new study.
Scientists at University College London have 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.
For their study, the scientists examined the record of seizures in a dedicated epilepsy unit, in which every seizure in each 24-hour period is logged for patients. They 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, the ‘Daily Mail’ reported.
“These findings suggest that epileptic seizures are less likely to occur on brighter nights,” lead scientist Dr Sallie Baxendale of Institute of Neurology at University College London, was quoted as saying.
Experts believe the effect of the hormone melatonin, which is secreted only at night and in the dark, may be implicated in triggering seizures.
–PTI