Feature	Peripheral vertigo	Central vertigo
Nystagmus	Combined horizontal and torsional; inhibited by fixation of eyes onto object; fades after a few days; does not change direction with gaze to either side	Purely vertical, horizontal, or torsional; not inhibited by fixation of eyes onto object; may last weeks to months; may change direction with gaze towards fast phase of nystagmus
Imbalance	Mild to moderate; able to walk	Severe; unable to stand still or walk
Nausea, vomiting	May be severe	Varies
Hearing loss, tinnitus	Common	Rare
Nonauditory neurologic symptoms	Rare	Common
Latency following provocative diagnostic maneuver	Longer (up to 20 seconds)	Shorter (up to 5 seconds)