Aphantasia: case report

Abstract

Introduction: aphantasia is the inability to imagine visually. It is an underdiagnosed clinical condition that could lead to difficulties in work or academic activity. Clinical case: a 24-year-old university student with aphantasia who experiences difficulties in memorizing complex schemes. Neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were normal. Neuropsychological examination revealed a total inability to imagine visually. On the other hand, the subject showed levels of verbal and visual intelligence within normal limits and only difficulties were observed in visual attention (assessed with the WMS-III). No significant differences were found in verbal and visual memory assessed with the Rey Auditory verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Rey Visual Design Learning Test (RVDLT). In the qualitative examination, the subject reported using verbal strategies to complement the visual memory tasks. Discussion: aphantasia is a clinical condition that can lead to significant difficulties in the academic or professional development of the people who suffer from it. Identifying this condition and facilitating neurorehabilitation plans with compensatory verbal strategies could help improve the quality of life of people with aphantasia.