Olfaction and epilepsy: the key role of the piriform cortex

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders, characterized by recurrent seizures associated with excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity. Clinical studies have shown that olfactory dysfunction is often present in epilepsy patients, potentially serving as an important clinical marker of seizures. Recent research has highlighted the critical role of the piriform cortex, a brain region closely related to olfactory processing, in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. This article aims to comprehensively review the research progress on the piriform cortex in epilepsy, summarize current treatment strategies, explore the potential of the piriform cortex as a therapeutic target, and provide insights for future research directions to promote a deeper understanding of epilepsy mechanisms and the development of novel therapies.