Understanding different types of face perception issues and how to treat them

Developmental prosopagnosia subtypes: validation, neural mechanisms, and differential approaches to treatment

NIH-funded research Boston VA Research Institute, INC. · NIH-10798313

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston VA Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10798313 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with developmental prosopagnosia, particularly those who experience difficulties in recognizing faces.

Not a fit: Patients without developmental prosopagnosia or those whose face recognition abilities are not significantly impaired may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.