Eating epilepsy. A narrative review

Abstract

Eating epilepsy (EE) is rare reflex epilepsy in which seizures are triggered by mechanisms related to the eating process. In this narrative review, we analyzed case series and case reports found in the literature and describe sociodemographic, semiological, and radiological characteristics of patients with EE in the general population. Our analysis revealed that this epilepsy is more common in male patients and usually presents with focal onset seizures. There is wide variability in clinical presentation and there is not enough evidence to affirm that there is a specific food or diet that triggers the seizures. Temporolimbic and suprasylvian areas of the frontal and temporal lobes, particularly the insular and opercular cortex, play an important role in the pathophysiology of EE as found in neuroradiological and neurosurgical studies. As for the treatment, there is a high prevalence of pharmacoresistance and clobazam was the most used antiepileptic drug, usually as an add-on therapy.