What Is a Gustatory Seizure?

A gustatory seizure is a brain malfunction that causes the individual to taste things that aren’t there. Some patients that deal with epilepsy have reported hallucinogenic tastes or phantom flavors as a part of their seizures. These flavors can be anything, but most commonly are reported as unpleasant and metallic.

Seizures

• A seizure is a malfunction in the brain that is caused when the electrical signals in different parts of the brain go haywire and cause a disruption of normal brain function. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, there are many types of seizures. Grand mal seizures or generalized tonic clonic seizures are the most serious, resulting in convulsions and lack of consciousness. Someone suffering a petit mal or absence seizure may appear to be conscious and alert, but in fact may be completely unaware. Trapped in a sort of wakeful unconsciousness, the absence seizure sufferer will have no memory of the event. A simple partial seizure is harder to diagnose since the patient never loses consciousness.

Smple Partial Seizures

• Gustatory seizures are often part of simple partial seizures. According to a study reported in the "Brain, A Journal of Neurology" in 1987, SPSs are caused when there is an electrical disturbance in only one small part of the brain. Depending on the area, these seizures can cause phantom flavors, visual and audible hallucinations, feelings of anxiety and even a sense of déjà vu.

Gustatory Seizures

• Gustatory seizures are caused by an electrical disturbance in the brain. According to the 1987 study in "Brain, A Journal of Neurology," they can be elicited in affected individuals by stimulating the hippocampus and the amygdala. Other effects of this type of stimulation are oral movements, facial tics and contortions, and salivation.

Diagnosis

• Simple partial seizures are very difficult to diagnose. One diagnostic tool is called a stereoelectrocencephalography or SEEG for short. This tool uses electrodes implanted deeply within the brain. These electrodes record all brain function, both seizure and normal activity, for a period of 7 to 10 days. This test allows a clearer picture of brain function and dysfunction for a better diagnosis.

Treatment

• How this type of seizure is treated depends largely on why the problem has occurred. eMedicine outlines many causes of SPS. If gustatory seizures are due to a medication or toxic influence, these chemicals can be adjusted to compensate. However, if the seizures are due to brain anomalies, injury or damage from illnesses such as meningitis, treatment may be more difficult. The patient and doctor will have to weigh the benefits of anti-seizure medication with the side effects.