Do the Phases of the Moon Reflect How You Look for Epilepsy Related Behavior?

In the December issue of the journal Epilepsy and Behavior, Drs. Otte and colleagues from the Netherlands posit an interesting question looking at the issue of whether there is any connection between lunar phases and seizures.

• The investigators analyzed the worldwide aggregated search-related queries on the Internet related to epilepsy health seeking behaviors between 2005 and 2012.
• Epilepsy related Internet searches increased in periods with a high moon illumination. The overall association was weak, but was higher than most control search queries not related to epilepsy.
• The authors suggested perhaps increased sleep deprivation during periods of full moon might explain this association, but it warrants further study into how and when people seek epilepsy related information on the Internet, the lunar phase, and what its contribution to seizures is, if any.