Understanding different types of face perception issues and how to treat them
Official title: Developmental prosopagnosia subtypes: validation, neural mechanisms, and differential approaches to treatment
Funded at Boston VA Research Institute, INC. · NIH-10798313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with developmental prosopagnosia, a condition that makes it hard to recognize faces, think and process information differently, and it aims to find the best training programs to help improve their face recognition skills based on their specific needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston VA Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $403,224 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY032510-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10798313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with developmental prosopagnosia, particularly those who experience difficulties in recognizing faces.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without developmental prosopagnosia or those whose face recognition abilities are not significantly impaired may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cognitive and neural differences in individuals with developmental prosopagnosia (DP), a condition that affects face recognition. It aims to identify subtypes of DP based on their perceptual abilities and to determine which cognitive training programs are most effective for each subtype. By analyzing a large sample of participants, the study will explore the underlying neural mechanisms and validate the distinctions between perceptually-impaired and unimpaired subgroups. This could lead to tailored treatment approaches that enhance face perception skills in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide targeted cognitive training strategies that significantly improve face recognition abilities in individuals with developmental prosopagnosia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in identifying subtypes of prosopagnosia and tailoring interventions, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston VA Research Institute, INC.
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Degutis, Joseph Michael — Boston VA Research Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Degutis, Joseph Michael
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.