The genetics of congenital prosopagnosia

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Boris Suchan
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology ; General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 397267069

Congenital prosopagnosia refers to the impairment in face recognition despite normal vision, intelligence, and other cognitive skills. There is considerable evidence to suggest that prosopagnosia is a heritable trait, because it seems to be more common within families. However, the underlying genetic factors and the precise molecular mechanisms that could be involved in this phenotype remain elusive. In order to address this issue the current project is set up to investigate the underlying genetic mechanisms of prosopagnosia. In an interdisciplinary approach a unique and well characterized patient cohort will be established and studied using whole exome sequencing. Candidate genes identified in this approach will be further validated. The identification of gene defects that causes prosopagnosia would facilitate clinical and molecular genetic diagnoses. Additionally, a more precise classification of prosopagnosia subtypes would be expected, thus leading to an improved patient care and therapy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants