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.
Prescription video games help children with ADHD in trial
Prescription video games help children with ADHD in trial
Where We Are Going Today: ‘The Roof’ at the Jeddah Edition Hotel
- I made my way to the mocktail bar, where the menu featured several options
With the first hint of winter settling over Jeddah, rooftop spaces across the city are gradually coming back to life after the long, humid summer.
Among them is The Roof at the Jeddah Edition Hotel, where I was recently invited to experience the atmosphere, food offerings, and evening setting.
The moment I stepped onto the rooftop, the scene carried a familiar coastal warmth, comfortable and understated yet framed by the luxury the hotel is known for. On one side, the Formula One circuit curves in view, while the city skyline and the Jeddah Yacht Club stretch outward, catching a beautiful sunset that softened the horizon and reminded me of why the city’s rooftops feel most alive at this time of year.
I made my way to the mocktail bar, where the menu featured several options. I chose the passionfruit blend — cold, tangy, and lightly sweet. The presentation was good, with a dried orange garnish and a small paper straw.
The soundtrack of the evening was shaped by the hotel’s resident DJ, who alternated between Arabic and Western melodies with live percussion, pairing well with the cool breeze drifting across the terrace.
I sampled mini burgers, tacos, and a mushroom-and-onion pasta from the live station. Later, after meeting a friend, we shared dessert, churros paired with a latte, while sitting near the pool. The water was inviting, though the evening wasn’t quite cool enough for a swim.
The Roof has SR150 ($40) minimum spend per person starting from 6:00 p.m.
