Why Prosopagnosia Is Known as Face Blindness
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, may come with difficulties recognizing other things like facial cues and places. In addition to being unable to identify family members and close friends, Some people with prosopagnosia may even find it difficult to recognize their own face. Those with the condition are thereby forced to develop different ways of identifying people.
Although previously thought to be relatively rare, recent research suggests that around 2% percent of the general public may have some level of prosopagnosia.
There are two types of prosopagnosia: congenital prosopagnosia and acquired prosopagnosia.
Congenital Prosopagnosia
Some people are born without the ability to recognize faces, known as congenital or developmental prosopagnosia. Children with this type of face blindness may not realize their inability to recognize faces until they are much older.
Congenital prosopagnosia is not caused by any structural differences in the brain or brain damage. Some researchers believe that congenital prosopagnosia may be inherited since the condition tends to run in families.
Congenital prosopagnosia may also be present in children with autism. An inability to recognize faces may cause or contribute to their impaired social skills.
Acquired Prosopagnosia
Acquired prosopagnosia may occur after brain damage from a head injury, stroke, or neurodegenerative diseases.
Individuals with this type of prosopagnosia were previously able to recognize faces. Research suggests they are unlikely to gain back this ability, though they may learn to compensate.
Causes
The neurological basis for prosopagnosia is not well understood.
One theory is that the condition is the result of abnormalities, damage, or impairment in the right fusiform gyrus—the part of the brain that coordinates neural systems controlling facial perception and memory.
For congenital cases, the cause might be related to genetics.
In 2012, doctors at Stanford temporarily implanted electrodes in the brain of a patient with prosopagnosia and discovered two nerve clusters integral in perceiving faces.
There is some disagreement in the scientific literature about whether prosopagnosia is a general disorder of recognition or a face-specific problem. It may be that there are different types of prosopagnosia, each with their own set of symptoms.
Treatment
There are no cures or treatments for prosopagnosia. Those with prosopagnosia must learn other ways of remembering faces. Clues such as hair, voice, and clothes may help identify people.
Social situations may be awkward for people with prosopagnosia, causing them to become shy and withdrawn. Therapy or medications may be able to treat anxiety or depression related to the condition.
Researchers are currently working on ways to help individuals with prosopagnosia improve their face recognition.
