Effects of total solar eclipse on mental patients-a clinicobiochemical correlation

Indian J Psychiatry. 1981 Apr;23(2):160-3.

Abstract

Thirteen treated psychotic cases comprising of eight schizophrenic, four M.D.P. (manic type) and one M. D. P. (depressive type), who were clinically symptom free, were studied in respect of their hormones and behavioural abnormalities under effect of total solar eclipse. Of the hormones studied viz., T(2), T(4), TSH, Cortisol and prolactin, it is prolactin which showed an increase in titre associated with behavioural abnormalities in concerned patients during and immediately after the total solar eclipse. Deflection in both prolactin and behaviour gradually seemed to normalise over the post eclipse period.