Home > Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders > Todd's Paralysis

Definition

Todd's paralysis is a brief period of paralysis that occurs in the aftermath of a seizure.

Description

The period of time directly following a seizure is called the "postictal state." During this time period, the individual's brain is still recovering from the major changes brought on by the seizure. Drowsiness and confusion are very common symptoms of the postictal state. In some cases, the symptoms are even more pronounced and dramatic, and may even involve severe weakness or paralysis of a limb or one side of the body (hemiparesis), odd sensations such as numbness, or pronounced vision changes or blindness.

Demographics

Todd's paralysis usually strikes individuals who have epilepsy (recurrent seizures), although it may occur...