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Agnosia
Other Names for this Disease
- Monomodal visual amnesia
- Primary visual agnosia
- Visual amnesia
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Overview
Agnosia is characterized by an inability to recognize and identify objects and/or persons. Symptoms may vary, according to the area of the brain that is affected.[1] It can be limited to one sensory modality such as vision or hearing; for example, a person may have difficulty in recognizing an object as a cup or identifying a sound as a cough. Agnosia can result from strokes, traumatic brain injury, dementia, a tumor, developmental disorders, overexposure to environmental toxins (e.g., carbon monoxide poisoning), or other neurological conditions.[2][1] Visual agnosia may also occur in association with other underlying disorders.[1] People with agnosia may retain their cognitive abilities in other areas.[2] Treatment of primary agnosia is symptomatic and supportive; when it is caused by an underlying disorder, treatment of the disorder may reduce symptoms and help prevent further brain damage.[1]
References
- Agnosia, Primary Visual. NORD. http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdbdetail_abstract.html?disname=Agnosia%2C%20Primary%20Visual. Accessed April 22, 2011.
- Agnosia Information Page. NINDS. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/agnosia/agnosia.htm. Accessed April 22, 2011.
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On this page
General Information
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition. Click on the link to view the information.
- The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Agnosia. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.