BlinkLab partners with Mental Care Group to advance ADHD diagnostics in Europe

BlinkLab has joined forces with a major mental health provider the Netherlands to advance ADHD diagnostics in Europe.

BlinkLab set to accelerate ADHD diagnosis in Europe. Image: Getty.

Special Report:  The collaboration between BlinkLab and MCG promises to revolutionise ADHD diagnostics by integrating objective, AI-based measurements. 

BlinkLab (ASX:BB1)has just announced a partnership with the Netherlands-based Mental Care Group, the fifth-largest outpatient mental health provider in Europe.

This strategic partnership aims to improve and accelerate the way attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is diagnosed and managed, leveraging BlinkLab’s cutting-edge technology to improve diagnostic accuracy.

The alliance follows the successful outcome of a pilot study conducted by BlinkLab and MCG, which confirmed the effectiveness of BlinkLab’s technology in a clinical setting.

At the heart of the collaboration is BlinkLab’s smartphone-based app, a tool designed to provide an objective assessment of ADHD and Autism.

The app utilises advanced sensors in smartphones to measure subtle changes in sensory responses, specifically focusing on how our brain reacts to unexpected sounds.

This novel approach allows for precise and reliable quantification of sensory sensitivity, a key marker for ADHD.

The initial study, conducted with 184 children, revealed that those with ADHD exhibited significantly heightened sensitivity to specific sounds.

By measuring the rate and amplitude of sound-evoked eyelid responses, the BlinkLab app demonstrates that it can accurately detect sensory differences.

This method capitalises on the known phenomenon that individuals with ADHD (and also autism) often exhibit different responses to unexpected sounds – such as blinking more frequently or differently compared to neuro-typical individuals.

Read more about the technology here : Can BlinkLab’s autism diagnosis tool replicate the huge success of ResApp?

More accurate and immediate

This is a crucial advancement, says BlinkLab, as it offers a more accurate and immediate assessment compared to traditional diagnostic methods.

Unlike traditional methods that depend on personal expert opinions and clinical observations, BlinkLab’s technology gives clear, measurable data.

Pic: BlinkLab

Dr Henk-Jan Boele, BlinkLab’s CEO, says  partnering with Mental Care Group will fast-track BlinkLab's European approval and adoption.

“This partnership with the Mental Care Group is a huge milestone for BlinkLab, since it will accelerate our path towards obtaining CE approval,” said Boele.

Boele believes both BlinkLab and Netherlands-based MCG can successfully work towards clinical adoption and reimbursement of BlinkLab’s evaluation tests.

“Data from our first study with MCG demonstrate that BlinkLab indeed can provide the clinical value that is beneficial for both healthcare professionals and families.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with MCG. Their aligned interests and commitment to patient benefit have made this collaboration incredibly rewarding,” Boele said.

BlinkLab set to command influence

Apart from accelerating regulatory approval in both Europe and the US, data from the current trial will also help in a larger global ADHD study, setting BlinkLab up for influence in the global mental health diagnostics space

MCG’s wide network, as one the largest mental health providers in Europe, could help smoothly incorporate BlinkLab’s app into current diagnostic practices.

Jan Willem van der Windt, the CEO of Mental Care Group said that long wait times and uncertainty in ADHD diagnoses could be reduced with BlinkLab's objective, AI-based measurements, which could also improve medication effectiveness assessments.

“Unfortunately, we often see that the wait time at the Mental Care Group exceeds six weeks,” said van der Windt.

“This is partly due to time-consuming diagnostic processes and the lack of objective measurements, leading to uncertainty among professionals, parents, and children.”

Additionally, finding the right medication and dosage often takes a considerable amount of time, and clients sometimes find it difficult to indicate whether a medication is effective.

“Objective measurements could significantly speed up this process and really make a difference for clients, their parents and our providers,” van der Windt added.

“We believe that BlinkLab offers a promising solution, since their innovative AI platform can provide us with objective biomarkers related to psychological disorders such as ADHD.”

BlinkLab and MCG plan to scale up the deployment of this technology, initially focusing on ADHD but with the potential to extend its use to other neuro-developmental conditions.

By combining BlinkLab’s innovative technology with MCG’s clinical expertise, the partnership is set to drive significant improvements in mental health diagnostics overall.

Addressing the urgent need for efficient ADHD diagnosis

ADHD is a prevalent condition affecting 2.1% to 3.6% of children in the Netherlands, with diagnosis often taking more than 18 months.

Such delays in diagnosis can have profound effects on children’s development and family well-being.

By reducing the time to diagnosis, BlinkLab and MCG aim to alleviate the burden on affected families and ensure timely intervention.

The integration of technology into the diagnostic process represents a major step forward, offering a more streamlined and accurate approach to identifying ADHD.

This not only promises to enhance diagnostic precision, but also to provide more personalised treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

This article was developed in collaboration with BlinkLab, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.