Pathophysiology of unilateral asterixis due to thalamic lesion

► Two cases with unilateral asterixis caused by an infarction in the lateral thalamus were studied by using electrophysiological and neuroimaging methods. ► Averaging of electroencephalogram (EEG) time locked to the asterixis revealed rhythmic oscillations of a beta band at the central area contralateral to the affected hand. ► The present study for the first time demonstrated that the asterixis due to a thalamic lesion is mediated by the sensorimotor cortex, which is subjected to excessive inhibition.