For the first time, doctors will be able to prescribe FDA-approved video games to help treat ADHD. Akili, a Northern California startup is developing a game known as Project Evo. They’ve completed eight clinical trials, all in cognitive disorders: ADHD, autism, depression. In addition to Akili, Posit Science is preparing to conduct controlled clinical trials in order to have their therapeutic games approved by the FDA. Their own initial trials showed results similar to Akili’s.
And this hasn’t gone under the radar of large pharmaceutical companies. Pfizer partnered with the Project Evo team to see if the game could help improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. While it’s true that it can take up to four years to get through FDA trials, we’re witnessing a shift in the way parents want to treat their children – the trend being that they would like to find alternatives to drugs to treat their children’s ADHD.