For most people, recognizing a face is an effortless, almost instantaneous process. But for individuals with developmental prosopagnosia—commonly known as face blindness—this simple task can be a significant and ongoing challenge. A new study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of this condition, revealing deeper insights into how the brain processes facial recognition. Researchers used advanced neuroimaging techniques to examine brain activity in people with prosopagnosia compared to those without the condition. They found that while individuals with face blindness can perceive facial features normally, their brains struggle to integrate those features into a coherent whole. This breakdown in holistic processing appears to be a key factor in their difficulty recognizing familiar faces. Interestingly, the study also showed that people with prosopagnosia often rely on alternative cues—such as voice, hairstyle, clothing, or gait—to identify others. These compensatory strategies can be effective but require conscious effort and are not always reliable, especially in unfamiliar settings or when cues change. The findings suggest that face blindness is not simply a failure of memory but a disruption in how the brain synthesizes visual information. This distinction could lead to better diagnostic tools and targeted interventions in the future. Experts note that prosopagnosia affects an estimated 2% of the population, though many remain undiagnosed. The condition often goes unnoticed because individuals adapt early in life, developing coping mechanisms that mask their struggles. Understanding the neural basis of face blindness not only helps those affected but also provides broader insights into how the brain constructs perception and identity. As artificial intelligence systems increasingly mimic human recognition abilities, research into conditions like prosopagnosia may also inform how machines can be designed to better understand and interpret human faces.