Eating epilepsy

The term "reflex epilepsy" denotes epilepsies characterized by a specific mode of seizure precipitation. Seventeen patients in whom the act of eating precipitated seizures are described. Interictal EEG showed generalized seizure discharges in three and focal discharges in five patients. In four patients EEG was recorded during eating. In one of these, the frequency of seizure discharge increased, but none had a clinical seizure during the recording. Eating epilepsy is predominantly a disorder of young adults, and the triggering mechanisms are extremely complex and elaborate. The role of the limbic system and amygdala in the precipitation of eating-induced seizures is discussed.