Developmental prosopagnosia: A review

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kress, Thomas | Daum, Irene

Affiliations: Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychology Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany

Note: [] Corresponding author: Irene Daum, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychology, GAFO 05/611, Universitaetsstrasse 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This article reviews the published literature on developmental prosopagnosia, a condition in which the ability to recognize other persons by facial information alone has never been acquired. Due to the very low incidence of this syndrome, case reports are sparse. We review the available data and suggest assessment strategies for patients suffering from developmental prosopagnosia. It is suggested that developmental prosopagnosia is not a unitary condition but rather consists of different subforms that can be dissociated on the grounds of functional impairments. On the basis of the available evidence, hypotheses about the aetiology of developmental prosopagnosia as well as about the selectivity of deficits related to face recognition are discussed.

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 14, no. 3-4, pp. 109-121, 2003