Epilepsy and weather: a significant correlation between the onset of epileptic seizures and specific atmospherics--a pilot study.

Abstract

The possibility of connections between weather and the onset of epileptic seizures has long been suggested (see, for example, the Hammurabi Codex 1600 BC). Work in the 20th Century points to a probability that the onset of both local and generalised epilepsy is significantly influenced by an interaction between genetic and extrinsic factors. In an attempt to clarify the situation a detailed study of the history of 315 attacks from 1 Jan. to 31 July 1981 suffered by a small number of patients in Munich has been undertaken. Although linkages between “classical” meteorological parameters and the onset of seizures are very weak, links with more generalised indexes (e.g. passage of fronts and disturbances) are more promising. However, the correlation between onsets and “atmospherics” of 28 KHz (positive) and 10 KHz (negative) impulses, are significant and call for urgent study.