Topography diagnosis

Topographagnosie (from ancient Greek τόπος tópos , German 'place' , γράφειν grafeïn , German 'draw' , and ἀγνῶσις a-gnō̂sis , German 'without knowledge' ; syn. Topographical disorientation ) is a seldom used neurological expression for the inability to actually get into to orientate known spaces. The causes are usually damage to the right temporal lobe , especially the parahippocampal gyrus .

The disorder prevents people from forming a cognitive map of their surroundings. They can only find a way by following precise directions. You are barely able to remember waypoints. Also, given a given direction, they cannot circumvent larger obstacles without losing their orientation. The patient may be prevented from reading an analog clock because he cannot correctly interpret the angular relationship of the hands. The recognition of objects is usually preserved.

Sources and individual references

↑ Peter Berlit: Clinical Neurology . Springer, 2012, ISBN 978-3-642-16920-5 , pp. 635 ( limited preview in Google Book Search [accessed April 4, 2013]).
↑ Niels Birbaumer, Robert Franz Schmidt: Biological Psychology . Springer, 2005, ISBN 978-3-540-30350-3 , pp. 409 ( limited preview in Google Book Search [accessed April 4, 2013]).

Web links

Wiktionary: Agnosia - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

http://www.gettinglost.ca Canadian research group on topographical disorientation

[Berlit2012-1] Peter Berlit: Clinical Neurology . Springer, 2012, ISBN 978-3-642-16920-5 , pp. 635 ( limited preview in Google Book Search [accessed April 4, 2013]).

[BirbaumerSchmidt2005-2] Niels Birbaumer, Robert Franz Schmidt: Biological Psychology . Springer, 2005, ISBN 978-3-540-30350-3 , pp. 409 ( limited preview in Google Book Search [accessed April 4, 2013]).