MDNN: Video Games for ADHD, Asthma Guidelines, Baby Boomers and HCV, and FDA Approval for CF

Hi, I’m Kevin Kunzmann, and I’m Matt Hoffman, and this is MD Magazine News Network - it’s clinical news for connected physicians.

Who ever thought a video game could be considered digital medicine? A new video game-like interactive program that targets neurocognitive processes has evidenced promise in a proof-of-concept study, as a potential medical device that could help treat children with ADHD. The investigational program AKL-T01, also known as Project EVO, is designed to improve attention and inhibitory control and is described as a first-of-its-kind prescription digital medicine by its manufacturer.

The pediatric asthma clinical practice guideline created and implemented in 2014 by Vanderbilt’s Asthma Steering Committee has shown an improvement in outcomes for ER visits, inpatient care and ICU admissions. The guideline outlined standardized care from ER arrival through discharge for all primary diagnosis asthma encounters for patients 2 years and older without a complex chronic asthma condition. Next steps include focusing on the generalization of these guidelines for other settings, with a particular focus on outpatient care.

According to the CDC, baby boomers are 5 times more likely to contract HCV than other adults through IV drug abuse and unprotected sex. Research suggests that the epidemic among the age group is not solely due to lifestyle choices, but also contaminated blood transfusions and hospital transmissions via reused medical equipment. Researchers have expressed a need for greater rates of HCV testing, even for those who don’t think they are susceptible. If testing is approached like screenings employed for other health conditions, the statistic could be reduced. So what do you say baby boomers? Get tested!

This week the FDA approved combination therapy tezacafor/ivacafor and ivacaftor (SYMDEKO) 2 weeks in advance of its PDUFA date for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients aged 12 years and older who have 2 copies of F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene or who have at least 1 tezacafor/ivacafor-responsive mutation. (PHEW!) The combination therapy could eventually serve as the foundation of triple-therapy regimens and is projected to treat up to 90% of patients with its wider range of efficacy than previous combination drugs. Following the Monday approval, Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced intentions to launch SYMDEKO next week.

For these stories and more, visit us at mdmag.com. I’m Matt Hoffman, and I’m Kevin Kunzmann. Thank you for watching.

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