The company is looking to use digital biomarkers to help detect depression and early-stage cognitive decline
Apple is looking to use digital biomarkers to help detect depression and early-stage cognitive decline, according to a new report out of The Wall Street Journal.
The end goal, according to the Journal, is to create a new Apple feature that would tell users if there was a potential mental illness. Data collected regarding a users’ mobility, physical activity, sleep pattern could be included in the algorithm.
The report notes that the new effort could be tied to collaborations that the Silicon Valley titan already has established with UCLA researchers and pharma company Biogen.
At the beginning of August UCLA announced a three-year study collaboration with Apple centered on finding the connection between depression and biomarkers collected by digital tools. In the study, researchers will look at data from the iPhone, Apple Watch and the Beddit sleep monitoring device.
In January, Biogen announced a collaboration with Apple focused on looking at the role of Apple Watch and iPhone in monitoring cognitive performance and screening for mild cognitive impairments. It’s no secret that Biogen is interested in cognitive decline. In June the company landed an FDA clearance for its controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm.
Sources:
https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/apple-looking-use-digital-biomarkers-develop-features-detect-depression-cognitive-declinehttps://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/apple-looking-use-digital-biomarkers-develop-features-detect-depression-cognitive-decline
