The lunar cycle seems to affect the incidence of intracranial aneurysm rupture, with the new moon being associated with an increased risk of aneurysmal aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Impact of the lunar cycle on the incidence of intracranial aneurysm rupture: myth or reality?
Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008 May ;110(5):462-5. Epub 2008 Mar 18. PMID: 18353534
Department of Neurosurgery, Saint-Joseph University and Hôtel-Dieu de France, Ashrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the lunar cycle and season on the incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 111 patients who were admitted over a 5-year period to our department because of aneurysmal SAH were retrospectively reviewed. The date of aneurysm rupture was matched with the corresponding season and moon phase.
RESULTS: An incidence peak for aneurysm rupture (28 patients) was seen during the phase of new moon, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). In contrast, no seasonal variation in the incidence of SAH was observed.
CONCLUSION: The lunar cycle seems to affect the incidence of intracranial aneurysm rupture, with the new moon being associated with an increased risk of aneurysmal SAH.