Mental Health Tech Insider: Where Technology Meets Mental and Neuro Health
Dr. Maria Blekher
Founding Partner at Serendipity Impact VC - investing in startups transforming Neuro & Mental Health
Welcome to the seventh issue of Mental Health Tech Insider—your compass for navigating the intersection of technology, mental, and neuro health. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, advisor, or simply fascinated by the industry’s evolution, this newsletter is designed for you.
In this issue:
Love, Maria
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Technologies Transforming Neuro, Mental Health & Business
The intersection of cognitive health, neuro and mental health technologies, and leadership is becoming a hot topic —opening up exciting opportunities and, as expected, raising some important questions we can’t afford to ignore.
Let’s start with AI's role in cognitive health assessment. A recent study demonstrated that AI, using natural language processing, could predict the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with an accuracy of 78.5%. All of this was achieved by analyzing speech data from neuropsychological tests. While this is a significant breakthrough in the medical field, the implications extend far beyond. Imagine how AI could be used to assess cognitive function in leadership roles, potentially changing how we think about mental fitness in the workplace.
Think of AI tools that not only evaluate mental agility but also enhance it. Early detection of cognitive decline could allow for timely interventions, keeping everyone on track. These tools could provide personalized insights, offer a clearer understanding of cognitive strengths and areas for improvement, and give leaders an edge in maintaining peak performance and a competitive advantage.
But before we get too excited about the possibilities, let’s not ignore the ethical elephant in the room. Collecting personal cognitive data in the workplace? That’s a privacy minefield. And as with any AI, there’s always the risk of false positives or misinterpretations that could unfairly impact careers. The potential misuse of these tools in hiring, promotions, or performance evaluations is another serious concern.
As AI powered tools continue to blend into the fabric of cognitive health and leadership, we need to be mindful. Developing strong ethical guidelines will be crucial to ensure that AI tools are applied responsibly and fairly. After all, the future will likely require a blend of technical savvy, ethical awareness, and a deep understanding of human behavior. As with any new technology, the key will be embracing innovation while mitigating the risks.
Market Trends: Mental Health Is Still a Top Priority for Investors
In the first half of 2024, mental health startups raised $682 million, making it the top-funded clinical area. This shows that investors still have faith in tech’s ability to make mental healthcare more accessible and effective, especially when companies can prove their worth and deliver a solid return on investment. When everyone’s looking for the next big thing, proving you can deliver results is key.
Not surprisingly, AI is playing a big part in this shift. From automating admin tasks and making healthcare more efficient, to creating personalized treatment plans that lead to better outcomes, breaking down barriers and changing the game in mental health.
Brain Buzzwords: Key Concepts in Mental and Neuro Health
MDMA-Assisted Therapy
MDMA-assisted therapy is a potential treatment for PTSD, combining the unique effects of MDMA with psychotherapy. Over a 12-week period, patients typically participate in 2-3 sessions, each lasting up to 8 hours. During these sessions, patients receive a 120 mg dose of MDMA, with an optional 40 mg booster dose two hours later, all under the care of trained therapists. Preparatory and integration sessions before and after the MDMA treatments are designed to help patients prepare for and process their experiences, enhancing the overall therapeutic benefits.
However, the FDA recently rejected the approval of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, citing concerns about safety and efficacy. This decision was a disappointment to many, including the drugmaker Lykos Therapeutics (formerly MAPS Public Benefit Corporation). The FDA’s concerns focused on the potential for abuse, given that MDMA has a similar abuse potential to a Schedule II stimulant, as well as issues with the design of clinical trials, such as the possibility that participants might guess whether they received the drug or a placebo. The FDA has requested an additional Phase 3 trial to further assess the treatment's safety and effectiveness.
Although the road to approval may be longer than anticipated, there is still optimism about the future of psychedelic therapy. Currently, around 40 MDMA studies are in various stages of development, and researchers are actively working on additional studies of MDMA and other psychedelics like psilocybin to address the FDA’s concerns. New approaches are also being explored, such as developing neuroplastogens that aim to retain the therapeutic benefits of MDMA while minimizing side effects.?
Media, Upcoming Events, etc.
I’ve just returned to New York after spending the past few weeks in Israel, and I’m still processing the experience. From the incredible resilience of the people to the weight of the trauma they carry, Israel is emerging as a hub for mental and neurotech innovation, offering new hope in challenging times.
While in Israel, I had the opportunity to speak with Inbal Israeli Gaffa on her podcast "How I Met My…". We dived into the dynamic between Israeli startups and American interns, discussing everything from best practices to bridging time zones, cultural nuances, and generational gaps. The episode is in Hebrew, English transcript to follow.
Now that I’m back in New York, if you’re around, join me at the "VCs Backing the Future: Powering Women in GenAI " panel event on September 10th.
In a world full of tech, stay human, see human,
Maria
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About the author:
I am Dr. Maria Blekher, a behavioral scientist, growth strategist, and investor with a robust background in consumer behavior and market strategies. I hold a PhD from Ben Gurion University and a postdoc at NYU, leading to my role as the founding director of the YU Innovation Lab in the heart of the NYC tech ecosystem. My expertise centers on bridging market entry gaps for startups, aligning go-to-market strategies with profound consumer behavior insights and market dynamics, and cultivating strategic partnerships. Driven by a mission to make an impact and enhance the human experience through technological innovation, my partner Avi Yaron and I are launching Serendipity Impact VC —investing in early-stage, disruptive neuro and mental health startups.
Creating objective measures for ADHD and brain health
1 个月Thank you for this article. As the CEO and co-founder of iFocus Health I believe AI can have a huge potential in mental health and that it is the key to solving the huge shortage of resources in this space. However, we also need to understand its inherent limitations. I think that when using AI to help hiring the general thought is that there is a "best' hire. I wrote an article about this. https://medium.com/@adi_37680/the-intersection-of-ai-and-adhd-part-2-the-risks-of-ai-to-neurodiversity-80d29d054d5a
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2 个月https://www.learnmutiny.io/
Helping Healthcare Leaders Communicate Simply | Content Strategy & Relationship Management | Master of Public Health (MPH)
2 个月Dr. Maria Blekher This is critically important. Thanks for writing and sharing this information.
ADHD & Neuropsychiatry Expert | Innovative Treatment, Training & Workshops | Occupational Therapist.
2 个月As a professional whose work includes assessing MCI, which is currently done using paper-and-pencil tests and, at best, computerized assessments that require me to sit next to the patient, I'm excited to read about this innovation. These current methods lead to long waiting lists and, more importantly, delay the start of therapeutic interventions. Thank you for presenting this knowledge