As the brainstem contains numerous cranial nuclei and white matter tracts, a stroke in this area can have a number of unique symptoms depending on the particular blood vessel that was injured and the group of cranial nerves and tracts that are no longer perfused.

Symptoms of a brainstem stroke frequently include sudden vertigo and ataxia, with or without weakness.

Brainstem stroke can also cause diplopia, slurred speech and decreased level of consciousness.

Parisian journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby had a stroke in December 1995, and, when he awoke 20 days later, he found his body was almost completely paralyzed; he could control only his left eyelid.

Jean-Dominique was instrumental in forming the Association du Locked-In Syndrome (ALIS) in France.