Agnosia

• Article
• 2021-03-02

Agnosia is a rare condition characterized by an inability to recognize and identify objects or people. People with agnosia may have difficulty recognizing the geometrical features of an object or face or perceive the geometrical features but not know what the object is used for and whether a face is known or not. Agnosia can be limited to one sensory modality, such as seeing or hearing. For example, a person may have difficulty recognizing an object such as a cup or a sound such as a cough. Agnosia can result from strokes, dementia, developmental disorders, or other neurological conditions. It usually results from damage to specific areas of the brain in the occipital or parietal lobes of the brain. People with agnosia can maintain their cognitive skills in other areas.

Therapy

Treatment is usually symptomatic and supportive. The primary cause of the condition must be determined to treat other problems that may contribute to or result in agnosia.

Prognosis

Agnosia can endanger quality of life.

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