What neurological function is primarily affected when damage occurs to the FFA?

Damage to the Fusiform Face Area (FFA), a specific region in the brain located in the fusiform gyrus, primarily affects the ability to recognize faces. The FFA is heavily involved in the process of facial perception and identification, allowing us to distinguish and recognize individual faces from a myriad of others. This area is particularly specialized for processing facial features and their configurations, making it critical for social interactions and emotional recognition based on facial cues.

When the FFA is compromised, individuals may experience prosopagnosia, a condition where they struggle to recognize familiar faces, even those of friends and family. This highlights the FFA's crucial role in facial recognition, supporting the conclusion that damage here predominantly impacts this specific neurological function.