What does agnosia refer to?

Agnosia specifically refers to the loss of the ability to recognize objects, people, sounds, shapes, or smells despite having intact sensory function. This condition can arise from damage to specific areas of the brain responsible for processing and interpreting sensory information. Individuals with agnosia may see objects clearly but cannot identify them based on visual input. This recognition breakdown can occur with various sensory modalities, but it fundamentally impacts the ability to understand and associate meaning with what is perceived.

The other options point to different neurological or cognitive conditions: the inability to form memories relates to amnesia, inability to articulate speech pertains to aphasia, and difficulty with coordinated movements describes ataxia. Each of these conditions affects different cognitive functions or motor skills but does not encompass the sensory recognition deficits that define agnosia.