Agnóziák

Agnóziák refers to a group of neurological disorders characterized by the inability to recognize or identify objects, people, sounds, shapes, or smells, despite intact sensory pathways. This means that the sensory organs themselves are functioning correctly, but the brain is unable to process and interpret the incoming sensory information. Agnosia is not a disorder of memory, attention, or language, although these can sometimes co-occur and complicate diagnosis.

There are different types of agnosia, each affecting a specific sensory modality. Visual agnosia is the most common, where individuals cannot recognize familiar objects by sight, even though their vision is normal. They might be able to describe the object's features but fail to identify it. Auditory agnosia involves the inability to recognize sounds, such as a ringing phone or a dog barking. Tactile agnosia means an inability to recognize objects by touch. Olfactory agnosia is a failure to recognize smells, and gustatory agnosia is a failure to recognize tastes.

Agnosias are typically caused by damage to specific areas of the brain, often resulting from stroke, head injury, tumors, or neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Diagnosis involves a thorough neurological examination, including tests of sensory perception and cognitive function. Treatment is generally focused on managing the underlying cause of the brain damage and providing compensatory strategies to help individuals adapt to their deficits. There is no specific cure for agnosia itself, but rehabilitation can improve functional abilities.