Prescription video games help children with ADHD in trial

A staff at the PlayStation 4 launch event poses with PlayStation 4's game controller before its domestic launch event at the Sony Showroom in Tokyo February 21, 2014. (File photo by Reuters)
Updated 04 December 2017
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Prescription video games help children with ADHD in trial

LONDON: Playing tailor-made video games can help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to results from a pivotal clinical trial announced on Monday.
The US company developing the treatment, unlisted Akili, now plans to file for regulatory approval with the US Food and Drug Administration in the first half of 2018, paving the way for what would be the first such “digital” prescription product.
Akili is an affiliate of London-listed PureTech Health .
Cases of ADHD have been rising around the world in recent decades, with children often given drugs to treat the disorder. Akili’s product takes a different approach by using a game to stimulate specific cognitive neural systems in the brain.
In the randomised, controlled trial of 348 children and adolescents with ADHD, Akili’s product AKL-T01 showed a statistically significant improvement compared with an active control in attention performance. The control was also a video game.
Medicating ADHD is big business, with Shire a leading player in the field. Shire is also an investor in Akili.


Where We Are Going Today: Yawmiyat in Riyadh

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Updated 23 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Yawmiyat in Riyadh

  • When moving on to the main dishes, Yawmiyat takes you on a journey that reflects the warmth of the authentic Levantine table

The first thing you notice when experiencing Yawmiyat is the feeling of going back to the roots, but with a touch of quiet luxury.

In the midst of Riyadh’s fast-paced bustle, this kitchen offers an experience that feels like a sanctuary for the senses, far from the usual commercial fast foods.

Our eyes are immediately drawn to the geometric precision of the presentation; the dishes here are not scooped randomly, but carefully arranged in a way that reminds us of miniature museum displays.

Warak enab or stuffed grape leaves, which is often served as a simple side dish, appears here as the essence of the experience. The compactly stacked pieces gleaming with virgin olive oil promise a taste that cleverly balances the acidity of lemon with the sweetness of the rich filling, reflecting hours of slow cooking.

When moving on to the main dishes, Yawmiyat takes you on a journey that reflects the warmth of the authentic Levantine table.

Here, the grills go beyond being traditional items; the kofta and lamb chops saturated with the aroma of charcoal grilling, characterized by exceptional tenderness and a rich flavor of special spices that melt in the mouth.

For lovers of complex flavors, the fattet makdous stands out as an artistic masterpiece presented as a symphony of harmonious textures, where the crunch of bread embraces the tenderness of eggplant and the freshness of yogurt, creating a melodic balance that evokes immediate nostalgia for intimate family gatherings.

What truly distinguishes this experience is that rare blend of authenticity and modernity; while the kitchen adheres to traditional recipes, modernity appears in the style of presentation and packaging that makes each order a “gift” worthy of presenting.

Behind this inspiring Saudi brand stands a deep belief that local cuisine is the richest and finest that can be offered to the world.

For more information, check their Instagram @yawmiyatbydalal.