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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ANDERMANN, E. (1982): Multifactoral inheritance of generalized and focal Epilepsy. In: Genetic Basis of Epilepsy, Penry JK, Sing CF, Raven Press, New York.
BAUMER, H., EICHMEIER, J. (1981): Relationship between the Atmospherics Pulse Rate in 10 and 27 KHz Range, Air Mass Movements and the Diffusion Time of Ions in Gelatine Films. Int. J. Biometeor. 25: 263–268.
BREZOWSKY, H. (1965): Meteorologische und biologische Analysen nach der Tölzer Arbeitsmethode. Meteor. Rdsch. 1; 132–143.
BRUCKMÜLLER, I. (1934): Zur Frage der Beziehung zwischen Anfallstod bei Epilepsie und meteorologischen Verhältnissen. Z. Neurol. 151; 691–695.
HAMMURABI CODEX (1728–1686 b. Chr.) § 278 in: Pollak K. Die Heilkunst der früheren Hochkulturen. R. Löwit-Verl. Wiesbaden 1968.
HARTUNG, J. (1982): Statistik. Oldenbourg Verl. München.
HIPPOKRATES (ca. 400 b. Chr.). Von der heiligen Krankheit. Dtsch. Ausgabe: Hippokrates. Fünf auserlesene Schriften. Artemis, Zürich 1955.
MEYER, M. (1928): Der epileptische Krampfanfall und seine Beziehungen zu atmosphärischen Einflüssen. Der Nervenarzt 1: 592–600.
DE RUDDER, B. (1952): Grundri\ einer Meteorobiologie des Menschen. Springer Berlin, Göttingen, Heidelberg; 3. Aufl. 303.
SAS-INSTITUTE INC. (1982): SAS Users Guide, North Carolina (USA).
SÖNNING, W., BAUMER, H., EICHMEIER, J. (1981): Die Atmospherics-Aktivität bei 10 und 27 KHz als Indikator für die Dynamik der troposphärischen Wettervorgänge. Arch. Meteor. Geoph. Biokl. Ser. B. 29: 299–312.
TROMP, S.W. (1963): Medical Biometeorology. Elsevier. Amsterdam, London, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ruhenstroth-Bauer, G., Baumer, H., Kugler, J. et al. Epilepsy and weather: A significant correlation between the onset of epileptic seizures and specific atmospherics — a pilot study. Int J Biometeorol 28, 333–340 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02188563
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02188563