Prosopanomia? a possible category-specific anomia for faces

Abstract This paper reports a single case study of a patient, who after hydrocephalus, a subdural haemorrhage, and two aneurysms initially presented with visual agnosia and aphasia. After four years, the residual deficit suggests a specific impairment in naming familiar faces despite preserved intelligence and memory. Other types of complex visual information such as text and pictures of objects do not produce recognition or naming problems. Face perception and access to identity-specific autobiographical information from faces is preserved. Name recognition is also normal. The results suggest a possible case of category-specific anomia for faces, i.e. prosopanomia.