prosopagnosia
Pronunciation: pros-oh-pag-NOH-see-ah
Selective inability to recognize faces despite intact visual processing and object recognition abilities.
Full Definition
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is a specific cognitive disorder characterized by the inability to recognize familiar faces while maintaining normal visual acuity and object recognition. The condition can be congenital or acquired through brain injury, typically involving the fusiform face area in the temporal-occipital region. Patients can often recognize individuals through other cues such as voice, gait, or distinctive features. The severity ranges from difficulty with unfamiliar faces to inability to recognize close family members or even one's own reflection.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from general visual agnosia; specify whether congenital or acquired when known.
In Context
- "The patient developed prosopagnosia following right temporal lobe resection for epilepsy." — Post-operative neuropsychological assessment
- "Congenital prosopagnosia was suspected given lifelong difficulty recognizing faces." — Cognitive neurology consultation