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What is asterixis?
Asterixis is a form of negative myoclonus mainly associated with metabolic encephalopathies; electrophysiologically, it is characterized by the presence of brief silences of electric muscular activity.
Although originally described in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, asterixis may be caused by many other conditions.
The early stages of metabolic dysfunction assume a rhythmic aspect, resembling tremor.
With progression of the underlying cause, when patients hold their arms outstretched, the wrists display a characteristic flexion (caused by electric silence in the antigravity muscles)
Causes of Asterixis
| Hepatic failure |
| Respiratory failure |
| Renal failure |
| Cardiac failure |
| Chronic hemodialysis |
| Polycythemia |
| Drugs |
| Anticonvulsants |
| Salicylates |
| Levodopa |
| Lesions in the central nervous system |
| Medial frontal cortex |
| Parietal lobe |
| Internal capsule |
| Thalamus |
| Rostral midbrain |
