The neurological deficits accompanying BAM usually include partial or total greying or loss of vision, disturbances in oculomotor function (such as double vision), vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), ataxic gait (difficulty in walking), paralysis on one side of the body, altered consciousness (may include amnesia, confusion, stupor, and/or syncope (loss of consciousness)), ptosis (drooping eyelid, usually on one side of the body). and parasthesias (altered sensation and tingling) on one or both sides of the body.

In making a differential diagnosis for Basilar Artery Migraine, neurologists should look for the presence of two or more of the typical symptoms, which include vertigo, tinnitus, decreased or impaired hearing, ataxic gait, dysarthria, visual symptoms (normally in both eyes), diplopia, bilateral paresthesias or paresis, and impaired consciousness. These symptoms are usually, although not necessarily, followed by a throbbing headache in the occipital region (the back of the head). The vertigo that accompanies Basilar Artery Migraine normally lasts between 5 minutes and one hour.