Visual Agnosia

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how visual agnosia is a disorder where people can see objects, but are unable to recognize them. It looks at how agnosia it not a disease, but a disorder that arises as the result of neurological conditions such as strokes, dementia, or developmental disorders. It also examines how, because agnosia has several different causes, successful treatment relies upon correct diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disorder.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

""The way in which messages are relayed from the eyes to the brain is not as straightforward as one might think." (Humphreys and Riddoch, 8). The visual pathway itself is complex. For example, objects recognized with one eye are perceived on the opposite side of the brain. However, visual agnosia is not associated with a problem in the actual visual pathway. Instead, agnosia is believed to reflect a problem in the later stages of sensory processing, "beyond the level of basic sensory mechanisms such as vision and acuity." (Rosello). Furthermore, visual agnosia is not always technically a perception problem; the patients can typically perceive and describe the physical details of a visual stimuli, but are unable to match that description to something held in memory. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Humphreys, Glen and M. Jane Riddoch. To See But Not to See: A Case Study of Visual Agnosia. Hove: Psychology Press Ltd., 1998.
• Merck and Co. "Agnosia." Merck Manual Online. 2006. Merck and Co. <http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section14/chapter169/169d.jsp>.
• National Academy of Neuropsychology. "Agnosia." Behavioral Neuropsychology. 2006.
• National Academy of Neuropsychology. 5 Apr. 2006 <http://nanonline.org/nandistance/mtbi/ClinNeuro/agnosia.html>.
• National Institutes of Health. "Agnosia Information Page." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2006. National Institutes of Health. 5 Apr. 2006 <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/agnosia/agnosia.htm>.

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