Gourmand Syndrome

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Joanna Ekabua, M.D. [2]

Synonyms and keywords:: Gourmand Syndrome

Overview

Gourmand syndrome is a benign, non-disabling eating disorder that arises as a result of a lesion to the right anterior cerebral hemisphere. Gourmand syndrome mainly involves the anterior cortico-limbic regions. Patients with gourmand syndrome are preoccupied with fine food reflecting a reduced cortical control of visceral impulses. Eating behavior that arises as a result of gourmand syndrome does not correlate with any known category of eating disorders. Prominent cognitive symptoms associated with Gourmand syndrome include; visual-spatial dysfunctions, impaired learning and recall of figures, recalling of a geometric figure when 90 degrees rotated, poor performance in figural fluency and verbal fluency, and left hemispatial neglect Common risk factors in the development of Gourmand syndrome are vascular, brain tumor, trauma, and epilepsy. There is currently no treatment for gourmand syndrome.

Historical Perspective

  • There is limited information about the historical perspective of gourmand syndrome.
  • Gourmand syndrome was first described in 1997[1]
  • Gourmand syndrome is derived from the French word gourmand which means someone who heartily enjoys eating fine foods and drinks. Although commonly not considered a pathology, gourmand eating may sometimes indicate focal brain damage.[1]

Classification

  • There is no established system for the classification of gourmand syndrome but it has been grouped into 2 main groups[2]
    • The fine dining habits and changes to taste.
    • The obsessive component.

Pathophysiology

Image demonstrating the lobes of the brain (Picture courtesy: Wikipedia)



  • Lesions are found frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. [2]
Image demonstrating the lobes of the brain (Picture courtesy: Medlineplus)


Clinical Features

  • Clinical features of Gourmand syndrome ranges from[1][2]
    • Reduced to excessive appetite
    • Hunger dysregulation
    • Satiety signal dysregulation
    • Preoccupation with the preparation and eating of fine quality foods.

Differentiating Gourmand Syndrome From Other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

  • There is no information on the prevalence of gourmand syndrome.
  • 36 people had been diagnosed with gourmand syndrome as of 2001.[3]

Age

  • Gourmand syndrome is more commonly observed among patients aged 15-77years old.[1]

Gender

  • Gourmand syndrome affects men and women equally.[1]

Race

  • There is no racial predilection to gourmand syndrome

Risk Factors

Common risk factors in the development of Gourmand syndrome are[1][2]

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

  • Early clinical features include a new-found obsession with fine foods and wanting to eat, talk and write about fine foods.[1]
  • Common complication of gourmand syndrome is obesity.[1][2]
  • There is no established data on the prognosis of gourmand syndrome.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

  • The diagnosis of gourmand syndrome is made when there is a change in eating behavior post brain trauma.[1]

Symptoms

Symptoms of Gourmand syndrome may include the following:[1][3]

  • Outgoing and eating-oriented behavior
  • Aroused only by conversations about food; wanting talk and write about refined foods
  • Desires for homemade meals become more precise and exotic
  • More concerned by quality rather than quantity of food
  • Weight gain
  • Depression
  • Compulsive episode
  • Psyschotic episode

Physical Examination

  • Patients with Gourmand syndrome usually appear normal.[1][2]

Laboratory Findings

  • There are no specific laboratory findings associated with gourmand syndrome

Imaging Findings

CT may demonstrate hemorrhagic infarct in the distribution of the right middle cerebral artery, involving the [1]

CT demonstrates acute hemorrhagic infarct in the distribution of the right middle cerebral artery involving the right internal capsule and basal ganglia (right side on image corresponds to right hemisphere) (Picture courtesy: Neurology)


Other Diagnostic Studies

  • There is no diagnostic study for gourmand syndrome.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

  • There is no treatment for gourmand syndrome; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.[1]

Surgery

  • There is no surgical treatment for gourmand syndrome.

Prevention

  • There are no primary preventive measures available for gourmand syndrome.

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Regard M, Landis T (1997). ""Gourmand syndrome": eating passion associated with right anterior lesions". Neurology. 48 (5): 1185–90. doi:10.1212/wnl.48.5.1185. PMID 9153440.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Kurian M, Schmitt-Mechelke T, Korff C, Delavelle J, Landis T, Seeck M (2008). ""Gourmand syndrome" in a child with pharmacoresistant epilepsy". Epilepsy Behav. 13 (2): 413–5. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2008.04.004. PMID 18502182.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Uher R, Treasure J (2005). "Brain lesions and eating disorders". J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 76 (6): 852–7. doi:10.1136/jnnp.2004.048819. PMC 1739667. PMID 15897510.

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