It is a particular type of blindness when patient is unable to recognize faces, while rest of the vision is ok. When looking in a mirror, patient may not recognize his own face. Patient usually relies on some other identifying feature to recognize an individual, such as voice, gait, clothing, etc.Where is the problem in prosopagnosia?

Facial recognition is a special and particularly well-developed quality of human being. Functional MRI studies have revealed an area in the back of the brain involved in processing this information, and an injury to this area may result in prosopagnosia. It is in the inferior occipitotemporal cortex, and is called fusiform face area.

 

What may be the cause of prosopagnosia?

Usual causes are trauma, tumor, or a stroke. Some people are born with a defect in the fusiform face area, and have life-long difficulty recognizing faces.

 

What is the treatment of prosopagnosia?

There is no specific treatment, other than education and counseling.

 

Where can I get more information about prosopagnosia?

American Academy of Neurology