What condition is characterized by an impairment of the ability to read?

Dyslexia is characterized by a specific learning disability that affects an individual's ability to read, despite having normal intelligence and adequate educational opportunities. It is often marked by difficulties with phonological processing, which involves the manipulation of sounds in words, impacting reading fluency, decoding, and comprehension skills.

In contrast, Alzheimer's is primarily a neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory and cognitive function, leading to difficulties in various thinking processes rather than specifically impairing reading skills. Amnesia refers to memory loss, which can be transient or permanent, but does not directly affect reading ability. Hyperlexia, on the other hand, involves a precociousness in reading ability often coupled with challenges in comprehension and other aspects of language, making it distinct from dyslexia.

Thus, dyslexia is the most pertinent condition when considering a specific impairment in the ability to read.