What defines Todd's paralysis?

Todd's paralysis is characterized by transient post-ictal paralysis, which occurs following a seizure event, typically a focal seizure. This phenomenon is a temporary weakness or paralysis affecting a portion of the body that corresponds to the area of the brain that experienced seizure activity.

After the seizure ends, individuals may experience weakness in a limb or the facial muscles on one side of the body for a period that can last from minutes to hours, but this paralysis generally resolves completely as the person recovers from the postictal state. Recognizing Todd's paralysis is crucial in distinguishing it from other neurological conditions, as the understanding of its transient nature helps medical professionals assess and manage the patient effectively without assuming a more severe underlying pathology, such as a stroke or permanent damage.

The other options do not accurately describe this condition; persistent seizure activity does not define Todd's paralysis since the paralysis occurs after the seizure, and it's not indicative of permanent neurological damage or acute ischemic stroke, which have distinct clinical trajectories and implications.