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Nov 25, 2011

Twilight Seizures: Twilight birthing scene triggers wave of seizures in theaters across the U.S.


Twilight Seizures: Twilight birthing scene triggers wave of seizures in theaters across the U.S. Twi-hards now have more to worry about than the end of the popular vampire franchise.

A scene in the new ‘Twilight’ movie is triggering seizures in movie theatres around the country.

The latest installment of the saga, 'Breaking Dawn: Part One', contains a graphic scene in which heroine Bella gives birth to her vampire husband Edward's child.

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Brandon Gephart of Roseville, California was watching the film when he began having convulsions, CBS Sacramento reported.

Gephart only remembers waking up on the cinema floor, before being rushed to hospital. Girlfriend Kelly Bauman was terrified.

He was 'convulsing, snorting, trying to breathe,' she said. 'He scared me big time.'

The rest of the screening was cancelled.

Similar incidents have now been reported around the country.

One man in south Jordan, Utah blacked out during teh film. His wife reported that he was shaking, mumbling and blinking rapidly, according to ABC4.

The symptoms typically emerge during the birth scene which contains flashes of red, black and white.



Epilepsy specialist Dr. Michael G. Chez, said the scene may be triggering episodes of photosensitive epilepsy in those that are predisposed to it.

Seizures can be brought on by flashing red lights in people who are genetically predisposed.

'It’s like a light switch going off, because it hits your brain all at once,' Dr. Chez told CBC Sacramento.

One episode of TV show Pokémon, broadcast in the 1990s caused a wave of seizures in young children.

'The trouble with theaters, it’s dark, the lights flashing in there is more like a strobe light,' he added.

A one-off seizure does no real long-term damage in the majority of cases, Dr. Chez said.

To reduce the risk, blue lenses can be worn to filter out the red light.

Kelly said Brandon has fulfilled his duty as a boyfriend and doesn't need to see any more 'Twilight' movies.



Source:dailymail