agnosia
Pronunciation: ag-NOH-zee-ah
A neurological disorder characterized by inability to recognize or interpret sensory information despite intact sensory function.
Full Definition
Agnosia is a neurological condition in which patients cannot recognize or interpret sensory information despite having normal sensory organs and pathways. This disorder typically results from damage to association areas of the brain that process and integrate sensory information. Common types include visual agnosia (inability to recognize objects by sight), auditory agnosia (inability to recognize sounds), and tactile agnosia (inability to recognize objects by touch). Prosopagnosia, or face blindness, is a specific form of visual agnosia frequently encountered in clinical practice. Medical editors should distinguish agnosia from sensory loss, as patients with agnosia retain basic sensory function but lose the ability to make sense of sensory input. The condition significantly impacts daily functioning and requires comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguished from sensory loss; patients have intact sensation but impaired recognition.
In Context
- "Visual agnosia prevented the patient from recognizing common household objects despite normal visual acuity." — Neuropsychological evaluation
- "The patient demonstrated simultanagnosia, unable to perceive multiple visual elements at once." — Cognitive rehabilitation assessment