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: Dear Duck in Jeddah
- The croissant was delicious and light, perfect for those who do not want a heavy first meal of the day
If you love an aesthetically pleasing brunch spot, Dear Duck in Jeddah is the place for you.
Located in the up-and-coming La Paz Plaza, Dear Duck is hard to miss with its large yellow door and matching umbrellas and outdoor tables. Dear Duck classifies itself as an “all day eatery” but the rave on TikTok has been about its brunch hour.
I decided to visit for brunch on a sunny Jeddah afternoon. The interior design is pleasant with quirky pieces and colors to emphasize the theme throughout.
It has little duck feet hanging from the ceiling, with the waiters wearing shirts with “Dear Saudi, I love you” written on the back.
I am a big fan of having a savory dish before dessert and Dear Duck’s brunch menu made that possible. I also place a lot of emphasis on a good, caffeinated beverage to pair with my brunch, which was also available.
For my main dish, from The Egg Club section of the menu, I chose the Cozy Croissant costing SR58 ($15) which was stuffed with fluffy eggs, cheese, and smoked turkey. For a less basic dish, the menu offers shakshuka, an acai bowl, and oats among other options.
The croissant was delicious and light, perfect for those who do not want a heavy first meal of the day. I paired my meal with their Sweet Matcha (SR28) opting for an oat-milk substitute and added vanilla syrup. The iced matcha was balanced in sweetness and the powder was whisked into a nice green shade.
My friend and I decided to explore an option from The Sweet Corner section of the menu, which has Classic Pancakes, Apple Pancakes, Dulce Dreams pancakes, and Famous Croissant Pudding.
We decided on the Classic Pancakes (SR42) to maintain a traditional brunch meal, which came topped with mixed berries and a side of maple syrup.
The pancakes were thick and less on the fluffy side, but they paired nicely with the syrup. On my next visit, I would love to try the Famous Croissant Pudding, which costs SR62 and comes with caramel sauce and cinnamon cream.
If you are on the hunt for an aesthetic and bubbly brunch spot in Jeddah, Dear Duck is a great choice. I would call ahead for reservations just in case because the restaurant has been receiving a lot of attention online.
