Definition of Prosopagnosia (face blindness)

Prosopagnosia (face blindness): a neurological disorder characterized by an inability to recognize faces. Prosopagnosia is also known as face blindness or facial agnosia and varies in severity among affected individuals. It is believed to arise from damage to an area of the brain known as the right fusiform gyrus. This damage can be caused by trauma, stroke, or neurodegenerative diseases. Congenital (present at birth) cases have also been described. Prosopagnosia can result in long-term deficiencies in social functioning. There is no known cure, and treatment focuses on the development of compensatory social skills.