The first product of its’ kind, EndeavorRx is an FDA-approved digital therapeutic for children with ADHD. Akili Interactive, a tight-knit medical engineering team who affectionately refer to each other as Akilians, has released EndeavorRx, an interactive video game for children with ADHD, as the first in class for digital therapeutics.
Quick Science Behind It
Akili has achieved its success by utilizing the Selective Stimulus Management Engine(SSME). SSME technology uses specific stimuli and motor challenges to target key parts of the brain related to attention. This development alone is revolutionary for behavioral sciences and therapy. Yet, Akili took it a step further when considering application. They developed a medical device that delivers therapy through direct interaction and worked directly with game developers to make it as age-appropriate and entertaining as possible.
The game itself is designed to adapt its’ difficulty based on the player’s performance. As the treatment period lasts three months, the content does need to continue to be engaging.
What Else are They Up To?
Akili Interactive focuses its research around its proprietary technology, SSME. The possible applications of this medical process are far-reaching. While they have launched their first product to help with ADHD, Akili has active research and discovery in cognitive assessment, autism, and cognitive dysfunction in Depression.
Alongside Akili’s flagship technology, it has begun its’ early stages of development in Body/Brain Trainer(BBT) and Spatial Navigation(SNAV). BBT aims to increase the interactivity of the user by combing cognitive and physical training through motion capture. BBT is designed to target the fronto-parieto-cerebellar area of the brain. SNAV takes it a step further by using the environment and objects in it to target the hippocampal system of the brain. Something like augmented reality games with a medical purpose.
The company’s dedication to its cause stems from a cultural foundation of curiosity in its discovery. The passion shown in their work is sure to bring exciting outcomes in the future. With a niche technology in their command and enough research, this technology could be used to benefit the mental health of today’s society and ensure the mental health of tomorrow’s society. Akili Interactive is sure to be an interesting watch over the next few years.