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Akili Interactive Labs and Pfizer to Partner on Alzheimer's Disease Project [Professional Services Close - Up](Professional Services Close - Up Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Akili Interactive Labs Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc. to test the ability of Akili's mobile video game platform to detect cognitive differences in healthy elderly people at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. According to a release, under the agreement, Pfizer will conduct a clinical trial that will evaluate healthy elderly subjects with and without the presence of amyloid in their brains, as determined by Positron Emission Tomography imaging. Approximately 100 individuals are expected to be enrolled with their cognitive abilities assessed both at baseline, and over the course of one month of game play. The goal of the trial is to investigate the Akili game as a biomarker or clinical endpoint for potential use in future Alzheimer's trials. The Akili video game platform is designed to quantify and improve the ability of individuals to deal with cognitive interference (distractions and interruptions), which impacts their ability to pay attention, plan and make decisions. Such deficits are common symptoms of many degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, as well as psychiatric conditions such as ADHD, autism and depression. Adam Gazzaley is a co-founder and Chief Science Advisor to Akili. "It's great to have Pfizer as a partner in an area where there is a clear need for novel approaches. Our collaboration with Pfizer is an example of Akili's strategy of applying rigorous science and testing through clinical trials to develop an entirely new class of medical products," said Eric Elenko, Akili's Co-founder and Chief Business Officer. "This partnership is another example of Pfizer's commitment to embracing innovative technologies that have the potential to further research into neuroscience diseases," said Michael Ehlers, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Neuroscience Research Unit at Pfizer. "A tool that enables cognitive monitoring for the selection and assessment of clinical trial patients has the potential to be an important advance in Alzheimer's research and beyond." ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |