The role of air pollution in epilepsy: a better understanding is needed.

Social determinants of health, including neighborhood and built environment factors, play a crucial but underexplored role in epilepsy incidences. Among these, air pollution emerges as a potentially-preventable driver of epilepsy and adverse health outcomes. Evidence is accumulating on the effects of air pollution on the brain, especially in stroke and neurodegenerative disorders; however, the specific impact on epilepsy remains underresearched, potentially due to the complexities of studying this condition. The present narrative review addresses a critical knowledge gap by exploring: 1) the role of air pollution in epilepsy epidemiology; 2) the biological mechanisms of air pollution in the brain in the context of epilepsy; and 3) how air pollution affects the management of people living with epilepsy. We outline vital questions and actionable interventions regarding the role of air pollution in epilepsy.