Alexia, Pure (also known as Alexias, Pure, Pure Alexias): Loss of the power to comprehend written materials despite preservation of the ability to write (i.e., alexia without agraphia). This condition is generally attributed to lesions that disconnect the visual cortex of the non-dominant hemisphere from language cente
NIH MeSH · D020237Diseases
Alexia, Pure
Also known asAlexias, Pure · Pure Alexias · Alexia Syndrome Without Agraphia · Pure Alexia Without Agraphia · Pure Alexia · Visual Verbal Agnosia · Agnosias, Visual Verbal · Agnosia, Visual Verbal · Verbal Agnosias, Visual · Verbal Agnosia, Visual · Visual Verbal Agnosias · Alexia Without Agraphia
Definition
Loss of the power to comprehend written materials despite preservation of the ability to write (i.e., alexia without agraphia). This condition is generally attributed to lesions that disconnect the visual cortex of the non-dominant hemisphere from language centers in the dominant hemisphere. This may occur when a dominant visual cortex injury is combined with underlying white matter lesions that involve crossing fibers from the occipital lobe of the opposite hemisphere. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p483)
MeSH classification
C10.597.606.150.500.300.200.100
C23.888.592.604.150.500.300.200.100
F03.615.700.500
Need clinical context, treatments, or patient-language explanation?
Loss of the power to comprehend written materials despite preservation of the ability to write (i.e., alexia without agraphia). This condition is generally attributed to lesions that disconnect the visual cortex of the non-dominant hemisphere from language centers in the dominant hemisphere. This may occur when a dominant visual cortex injury is combined with underlying white matter lesions that involve crossing fibers from the occipital lobe of the opposite hemisphere. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p483) This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Alexia, Pure known by any other names?
Yes. Alexia, Pure is also referred to as Alexias, Pure, Pure Alexias, Alexia Syndrome Without Agraphia, Pure Alexia Without Agraphia in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Alexia, Pure sit in the medical classification?
Alexia, Pure falls under the broader medical category "Diseases" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: C10.597.606.150.500.300.200.100, C23.888.592.604.150.500.300.200.100, F03.615.700.500). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Alexia, Pure?
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