What characteristics of nystagmus suggest a central cause?


  • direction changing nystagmus - the direction of the fast component changes with different gaze directions

  • not suppressed by visual fixation

  • can be in any direction (torsional, vertical, horizontal), unlike nystagmus from peripheral cause which is often horizontal or horizontal-torsional


Source

Furman, Joseph MD et al. "Evaluation of vertigo." Up to Date. 9 June 2008.