Brain & Nervous System Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms MS Brain Lesions and Their Effects How multiple sclerosis can impact the brainstem By Julie Stachowiak, PhD Julie Stachowiak, PhD Facebook Julie Stachowiak, PhD, is the author of the Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto, the winner of the 2009 ForeWord Book of the Year Award, Health Category. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 25, 2022 Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Huma Sheikh, MD, is board-certified in neurology and specializes in migraine and stroke. She co-founded the migraine and vascular section for the American Headache Society. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Brainstem Basics Effects of MS Symptoms Diagnosis Frequently Asked Questions Multiple sclerosis (MS) produces neurological symptoms due to its effect on the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves (the nerves that control vision). Areas affected by the disease are called lesions. MS brain lesions may appear on the brainstem—the lowest part of the brain right above the spinal cord. Among the symptoms that can appear with MS brainstem lesions are blurred or double vision, trouble swallowing, slurred speech, dizziness, coordination problems, weakness, and decreased sensation. It's not clear how common brain lesions are with MS. According to researchers, they occur in 6% to 82% of MS cases. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and occasionally evoked potential tests are used to detect MS lesions in the brainstem. Prevention of MS brainstem problems relies on the same disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) used to prevent MS progression. But the management of neurological problems caused by brainstem lesions is often based on therapy and safety measures that specifically address resulting MS brain lesions symptoms. Verywell / Emily Roberts Brainstem Basics The brainstem is small in length and width, but it is an important region of the brain where many nerve pathways meet. Messages between the cerebral cortex, subcortical regions, cerebellum, and spinal cord all travel through the brainstem. And the cranial nerves, which control eye movements, facial sensation, facial movements, and basic functions of survival (such as breathing), emerge from the brainstem. The brainstem has three sections: The midbrain: Located at the top end of the brainstem, it coordinates sight, sound, and body movement. It also regulates arousal and alertness and helps control eye movements. The pons: Situated in the middle part of the brainstem, it's involved in breathing, sleep, hearing, taste, sensation, and movement of the face as well as with balance. The medulla oblongata: Located in the lower portion of your brainstem, it helps regulate your heart rate and blood pressure. It also coordinates involuntary reflexes such as coughing, sneezing, and vomiting. A Guide to Parts of the Brain How MS Affects the Brainstem MS primarily affects the white matter of the central nervous system. White matter is located in deeper areas of the brain described as the subcortical and periventricular regions as well as in the outer portions of the spinal cord. The white matter of the brainstem can be affected by MS demyelination. The process makes nerves slow down to the point of not functioning, producing the characteristic signs and symptoms of MS brainstem lesions. Highly myelinated (coated with protected fat) nerves are called white matter because they appear white on microscopic examination. Symptoms of MS Brain Lesions MS causes a wide range of symptoms because the areas it can affect in the brain and spinal cord control so many bodily functions. Many of the sensory and motor symptoms of MS brainstem lesions are similar to symptoms of lesions of the spine and other parts of the brain because those in the brainstem often interrupt nerve pathways that connect to these regions. Symptoms that result from brainstem lesions (which can also occur with MS lesions elsewhere) include: Impaired strength or control of movementsSlurred speechDecreased sensation to touch, pain, temperature, and vibrationDiminished balanceTrouble sleeping Additionally, brainstem involvement in MS affects cranial nerve functions, which causes symptoms that are not produced by MS lesions in other locations, including: Diplopia (double vision) or jerky eye movements Hearing impairment, including deafness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or noise intolerance Diminished sense of taste Facial weakness Dysphagia—swallowing problems, including choking, coughing, or gagging Facial pain or altered facial sensation Vertigo (a sense that your surrounding are spinning) Problems with blood pressure, heart rate, or breathing (all very rare in MS) Diagnosis Your healthcare provider may identify a brainstem lesion based on your history and physical examination. However, because many of the signs and symptoms of brainstem lesions in MS are the same as those of other MS lesions, diagnostic tests can help identify where your MS lesions are located. Brain and spine MRI is commonly used in MS. This test detects areas of acute and chronic demyelination and can help determine whether you have lesions that correspond to your signs and symptoms. Sometimes in MS, the brainstem may appear small due to atrophy, which is shrinking of the nerves and their myelin. Auditory and vestibular evoked potentials may be used in certain cases when an MS lesion is suspected and MRI is negative or inconclusive. Evoked Potentials in MS Evaluation MS Brain Lesion Treatment There are a number of DMTs used for the management of MS, and these medications are used to prevent MS exacerbations (relapses). There are also treatments used to hasten the resolution of relapses and prevent long-term neurological damage. In addition, rehabilitation, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, can help you optimize your motor strength and coordination. Swallowing assessment and swallow therapy can help you eat and drink more comfortably and may help prevent complications of dysphagia, such as choking and aspiration pneumonia. Your healthcare provider or therapist may also recommend corrective lenses or an eye patch to help manage diplopia. And hearing problems may necessitate the use of a hearing aid. A Word From Verywell MS can affect any part of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MS lesions in the brainstem often produce effects that are less obvious than weakness or sensory loss. But these lesions can have a major impact on your quality of life and may put you at risk of serious medical complications. If you are having subtle symptoms, such as coughing when you eat, you might not realize that this is part of your MS. Be sure to discuss such symptoms with your medical team. Often, there are solutions that can help. Frequently Asked Questions How many brain lesions are a lot for MS? Counting the number of brain lesions on a single MRI doesn't help determine how severe MS is. You can have many lesions and only mild symptoms or very few lesions and significant disability. Comparing changes in lesions over time is a better way to see if your MS is stable or not. Do MS brain lesions hurt? You don't feel the MS brain lesions themselves, but the lesions can cause pain in different areas. Eye pain, facial pain, headaches, and numbness are some of the difficult symptoms related to brain lesions. Learn More: What Is Neuropathic Pain? Do MS lesions on the brain go away? Lesions may atrophy or disappear into cerebrospinal fluid on their own, but that doesn’t necessarily cause MS symptoms to improve. In fact, some research shows it may be related to more severe disability. Learn More: Living With MS Can MS brain lesions cause memory loss? Brain lesions along with atrophy (shrinking or wasting away of brain tissue) can cause memory loss and various other cognitive problems, such as loss of verbal skills, difficulty processing information, and inability to concentrate. Learn More: Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis 11 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Geraldes R, Juryńczyk M, dos Passos GR, et al. The role of pontine lesion location in differentiating multiple sclerosis from vascular risk factor-related small vessel disease. Mult Scler. 2021;27(6):968-972. doi:10.1177%2F1352458520943777 Cleveland Clinic. Brain Lesions. US National Library of Medicine. Multiple Sclerosis. Cleveland Clinic. Brain Lesions: Diagnosis and Tests. Kaunzner UW, Gauthier SA. MRI in the assessment and monitoring of multiple sclerosis: an update on best practice. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2017;10(6):247-261. doi:10.1177/1756285617708911 Ivanković A, Nesek mađarić V, Starčević K, et al. Auditory evoked potentials and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in evaluation of brainstem lesions in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci. 2013;328(1-2):24-7. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2013.02.005 Vargas DL, Tyor WR. Update on disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis. J Investig Med. 2017;65(5):883-891. doi:10.1136/jim-2016-000339 Iliescu DA, Timaru CM, Alexe N, et al. Management of diplopia. Rom J Ophthalmol. 2017;61(3):166-170. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence: Understanding Your MRI Report. Graziano E, Hagemeier J, Weinstock-Guttman B, Ramasamy DP, Zivadinov R. Increased contrast enhancing lesion activity in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis migraine patients. NeuroImage: Clinical. 2015;9:110-116. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2015.07.013 Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Disappearing lesions may predict disability development. Additional Reading Crnošija L, Krbot Skorić M, Gabelić T, Adamec I, Habek M.Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and MRI in early multiple sclerosis: Validation of the VEMP score. J Neurol Sci. 2017;372:28-32. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2016.11.028 Foschi M, Rizzo G, Liguori R, Avoni P, Mancinelli L, Lugaresi A, et al. Sleep-related disorders and their relationship with MRI findings in multiple sclerosis. Sleep Med. 2019. pii: S1389-9457(18)30387-3. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2019.01.010 Lee CY, Mak HK, Chiu PW, Chang HC, Barkhof F, Chan KH.Differential brainstem atrophy patterns in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2018;47(6):1601-1609. doi:10.1002/jmri.25866 By Julie Stachowiak, PhD Julie Stachowiak, PhD, is the author of the Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto, the winner of the 2009 ForeWord Book of the Year Award, Health Category. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit