What is the most common sign of a temporal lobe seizure?

The most common sign of a temporal lobe seizure is contralateral dystonia. Temporal lobe seizures are a type of focal epilepsy that originates in the temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for processing sensory input and are heavily involved in memory and emotion. During a temporal lobe seizure, it is typical for the individual to experience abnormal movements or postures that often affect one side of the body, which leads to the development of dystonia, characterized by sustained muscle contractions, abnormal posture, and involuntary twisting movements.

While dizziness, nausea, and unilateral myoclonus may also be associated with seizures or seizures of different types, they are not as specifically indicative of temporal lobe seizures as contralateral dystonia. Dizziness and nausea can occur in various medical contexts and are less defining to the nature of temporal lobe activity. Unilateral myoclonus, characterized by rapid, involuntary muscle jerks on one side, may suggest specific types of focal seizures but does not capture the more characteristic motor manifestations of temporal lobe seizures, which more frequently result in dystonic movements.