In MS, the term lesion refers to an area of damage or scarring in the central nervous system.

Lesions are caused by inflammation or the immune system attacking the myelin sheath on nerves in the brain, spinal cord or optic nerve.

These are usually visualised by MRI as little circular spots of damage. Its actually where MS gets its name from, multiple sclerosis or multiple scars.

Our MS in a Minute videos were created to provide fast and factual definitions of commonly used terms in MS.

More resources:

• Unravelling the causes of MS (MS Research Australia)
• What causes MS (National MS Society – United States)