depression

Senior residents at Allity interacting with the companion robot Abi by Andromeda Robotics
By  Adam Ang 04:24 am November 9, 2023
Sydney-based startup Andromeda Robotics has integrated generative artificial intelligence into robotics to complement the support provided in aged care. WHAT IT DOES Founded by a group of engineers in 2022, Andromeda Robotics aims to transform human-robot interactions by developing empathetic companion robots, targeting the elderly and children in hospitals.  WHAT IT'S ABOUT The prototype...
A person holding a smartphone looks out a window
By  Adam Ang 02:03 am December 20, 2022
A study from Singapore has evaluated the effectiveness of mental health chatbots in helping alleviate symptoms of depression. Previous studies have pointed out chatbots' potential in helping people with depression in treating their symptoms. This new study by clinician doctors from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University Singapore set out to evaluate the...
A woman talking to a provider though a video chat on a tablet.
By  Emily Olsen 12:03 pm November 1, 2022
Options MD, a telehealth startup focused on severe depression, scooped up $2.35 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Bread & Butter Ventures. Others participating in the raise include M13, Bright Ventures and Collab Capital alongside returning investors MedMountain Ventures and Techstars.  The startup has also received $100,000 from the Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund. The...
Person on mobile device
By  Jessica Hagen 06:47 pm September 20, 2022
Decentralized clinical trial company Curebase is partnering with Meru Health on a three-year clinical trial to study the effectiveness of Meru's 12-week treatment program aimed at reducing depression among primary care patients.  Meru Health's smartphone-based, therapist-guided treatment program targets depression, burnout and anxiety, while Curebase provides a decentralized clinical trial...
Person using a smartphone
By  Jessica Hagen 01:38 pm September 20, 2022
Both digital and face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) "may be suitable interventions for patients with more severe forms of depression," according to a review published in npj Digital Medicine. "Overall, our results indicate that after controlling for a number of potential confounders, face-to-face and digital CBT might be comparable in terms of clinical effectiveness for treating...
A biosensor capable of measuring serotonin levels in real-time
By  Adam Ang 02:59 am September 2, 2022
Korean researchers develop biosensor to measure serotonin levels in real-time A research team from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology has developed a biosensor that can track serotonin levels in real time for the diagnosis of depression. Depression, which affects over a million South Koreans, is believed to be partly caused by imbalances in the level of neurotransmitters...
A person looking at their wearable tracker
By  Adam Ang 10:44 pm January 24, 2022
Researchers from Nanyang Technological University have created a predictive computer programme that could be used to screen individuals for risk of depression.  WHAT IT'S ABOUT The machine learning-enabled Ycogni model detects a person's risk of depression by analysing their physical activity, sleep patterns, and circadian rhythms, whose data are acquired from wearable devices measuring steps,...
Digital biomarkers
By  Laura Lovett 02:40 pm December 16, 2021
Pear Therapeutics is looking to enter the depression space with the acquisition of fellow digital-therapeutic company Waypoint Health Innovations’ assets, as well as the assets of Örebro University researcher Fredrik Holländare. “The addition of these depression assets to our portfolio fits squarely in our near-term focus to expand our leadership in psychiatry. With these deals, we have the...
A woman wearing a mask looking out a window
By  Emily Olsen 12:37 pm December 7, 2021
Limbix, maker of a prescription digital therapeutic aimed at treating depression in teens, scooped up $15 million in Series A2 funding. The round was led by GSR Ventures, with participation from Digital Garage, Storm Ventures, Bixink, DN Capital, Korean Investment Partners, E& Investment, Gaingels, MVP, Operator Partners, Mana Ventures and Pacific Health Ventures. Limbix announced its $9...
Young people pointing fingers at a laptop
By  Adam Ang 02:03 am December 2, 2021
Researchers from the University of Southern Queensland are coming up with a new digital mental health platform for children and adolescents. The project was made possible through A$5 million funding from the government's Medical Research Future Fund.  Called Momentum, the online tool is being developed in tandem with young people, parents, and mental health professionals from Kids Helpline, West...