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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
09:41
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Midbrain lesions and paroxysmal dysarthria in multiple sclerosis
1Service of Neurology, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona and IDIBAPS, Villaroel 170, Barcelona, Spain.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|June 21, 2008
Summary
Paroxysmal dysarthria in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis can indicate an acute relapse or occur during recovery. Lesions in the lower midbrain, potentially affecting cerebellothalamocortical pathways, were observed in affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is characterized by neurological relapses and remissions.
- Paroxysmal symptoms are transient neurological deficits that can occur in multiple sclerosis.
- Dysarthria, or difficulty speaking, can be a symptom of neurological conditions.
Observation:
- Three patients with RRMS presented with paroxysmal dysarthria.
- In one patient, dysarthria was the sole symptom of an acute relapse.
- In two patients, paroxysmal dysarthria emerged during the recovery phase of a brainstem relapse.
Findings:
- All three patients exhibited an acute lesion in the lower midbrain.
- Lesion locations included central and left paramedian areas.
- These lesions likely involved the cerebellothalamocortical pathways.
Implications:
- Paroxysmal dysarthria may serve as an indicator of disease activity in RRMS.
- Lower midbrain lesions are implicated in the manifestation of this symptom.
- Carbamazepine demonstrated effectiveness in treating paroxysmal dysarthria in these cases.
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