Does the lunar phase have an effect on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?
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.
Terra-Bustamante
Vera C
VC
Departamento de Neurologia, Psiquiatria e Psicologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Scorza
Carla A
CA
de Albuquerque
Marly
M
Sakamoto
Américo C
AC
Machado
Hélio R
HR
Arida
Ricardo M
RM
Cavalheiro
Esper A
EA
Scorza
Fulvio A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016081:Moon; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons