Eating epilepsy.

The clinical and EEG profiles of 13 cases of eating epilepsy are described. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) formed the seizure type in 12 cases. In all but one case, the seizures were precipitated only by eating a heavy meal. In ten cases EEG showed interictal seizure discharges. EEG recordings were obtained from 12 patients during and after eating. In two patients clinical attacks (TLE) could be induced by eating in the laboratory. There was a good response to conventional anticonvulsants in only 3 cases. Alteration of eating habits helped in controlling reflex seizures in 2 cases. Various mechanisms of reflex precipitation of seizures by eating are discussed.