• The thalamus is a major relay center of the brain locaed between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain.
• It regulates motor and sensory function as well as sleeping and waking states. 
• It is supplied by 4 arterial systems (3 from the vertebrobasilar system; 1 from the posterior communicating system) such that strokes within these territories result in 4 distinct clinical syndromes, including syndromes consisting of pure sensory, arousal, and memory deficits.
• Thalamic strokes are thought to be more common in young people, associated with smoking and hypertension, and of poorer prognosis when presented with loss of consciousness.

References

• Ocariz, et al. Thalamic Vascular Lesions. Stroke. 1996; 27: 1530-1536.
• Schmahmann J. Vascular Syndromes of the Thalamus. Stroke 2003: 34: 2264 - 2278.