Associative Agnosia (also Known As Visual Object Agnosia)

Associative agnosia (also known as visual object agnosia) is characterized by the inability of an individual to recognize objects they see although nothing is wrong with the visual system. The visual system is working and normal visual perception is occurring. The problem is that the person cannot recognize or name the object.

Sufferers of associative agnosia can draw an object (showing that they can see the object) but cannot name or recognize the object. They have difficulty categorizing objects and can easily confuse items for similar objects (such as confusing a basketball for a pumpkin). Sufferers can name and recognize objects that are described verbally or by using their other senses such as touch and smell.

Associative agnosia is usually caused by damage to the front left temporal lobe resulting from a stroke, brain injury, brain tumors, or cardiac arrest.