What is the term for a postictal impairment of function within a discrete region of the brain?

Todd's paralysis refers to the temporary weakness or paralysis that occurs in a specific area of the body following a seizure, particularly a focal seizure. This phenomenon is a result of postictal changes in the brain, where the area affected by the seizure may exhibit impaired function or weakness. The paralysis typically resolves over time, often within a few hours, but its presence serves as a reminder of the specific region of the brain that was involved in the seizure activity.

In contrast, focal seizures involve abnormal electrical activity in a specific area of the brain but do not necessarily imply any level of postictal impairment. Generalized seizures affect both hemispheres of the brain from the onset and can lead to loss of consciousness, which does not typically correlate with postictal impairments specific to a localized area. Complex partial seizures indicate a loss of awareness or impaired consciousness during the seizure but again do not refer specifically to the postictal deficits experienced in one region. Therefore, Todd's paralysis is the term that accurately describes the postictal impairment arising from seizure activity in a defined area of the brain.