Running into familiar faces brings joy, but for those with prosopagnosia, this is a challenge. Research from Ye Rao’s team at Capital Medical University, Beijing, found that mutations in the MCTP2 gene impair facial recognition. Studying a family with face blindness, they discovered a unique mutation in chromosome 15 affecting nine members. Further population screening of 2,904 individuals revealed that those with poor face recognition often had MCTP2 mutations. Functional MRI showed abnormal responses in the brain’s fusiform face area in affected individuals.