Which term best describes a sudden episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain?

• A. TIA
• B. Hemiparesis
• C. Seizure
• D. Aphasia

Answer: (C)

A sudden episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain is called a seizure. This happens when groups of neurons fire in an uncoordinated, excessive way, which can produce a range of clinical signs from convulsions and loss of consciousness to brief sensory or visual changes depending on where in the brain the activity occurs. EEG findings during a seizure show abnormal, hypersynchronous electrical discharges.

This term best fits the description because it specifically denotes the event of abnormal brain electrical activity. The other options describe different neurological issues: a transient ischemic attack involves temporary vascular symptoms, not the electrical disturbance; hemiparesis is weakness on one side of the body; aphasia is a language impairment.