Sydney, Australia – 6 August 2024 | BlinkLab Limited (ASX: BB1) ("BlinkLab" or "the Company") is pleased to announce its new collaboration with Monash University to conduct a study on the pharmacology of human decision-making.
The pioneering study aims to explore how ketamine impacts human cognitive processes, providing insights that could revolutionise the treatment of various psychiatric conditions, including depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Highlights:
-
Study Objectives: The study will investigate how ketamine, a drug known to affect glutamatergic neurotransmission, influences perceptual decision-making. This research could demonstrate the potential of targeting glutamate pathways to treat psychiatric conditions and their symptoms, or enhance the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy.
-
BlinkLab’s Role: BlinkLab’s smartphone-based AI diagnostic testing tools will be used to monitor the effects of ketamine on study participants, focusing on how sensory information is processed into decisions they make.
- Potential Research Impact: The study offers the opportunity to develop a further understanding of the fundamental components of cognition, which could lead to new therapies and clinical advancements in treating psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
-
Potential Significance for BlinkLab: Results may help to validate BlinkLab’s platform as a tool for measuring the pharmacological impact of both existing and novel therapeutic agents.
Study Details and Design:
This new study, conducted by the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University, will recruit up to 35 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 55. Participants will undergo three (3) testing sessions, consisting of them performing a prepulse inhibition test on the BlinkLab application following ketamine administration. The application will help to determine whether the administration of ketamine can disrupt basic sensory encoding mechanisms, and each session will be designed to assess the potential changes in participants’ decision-making processes that may result. The study is expected to span 4-5 weeks per participant.
Details of the Collaboration Agreement:
-
Responsibilities: BlinkLab will provide access to its technology and facilitate the use of its platform throughout the study.
-
Intellectual Property: Each party will retain rights to their background intellectual property. Any intellectual property generated through the study will be owned by Monash University.
- Financial arrangements: None at the date of signing (to be determined via mutual agreement in the future and in a separate agreement).
-
Term and Termination: The agreement is effective as of 5 August 2024 and will continue until the research project is completed. Standard confidentiality terms apply.
Please see the attached ASX Announcement for full terms of the collaboration agreement.
For further information, please contact:
Henk-Jan Boele
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
+31 71 799 6194
Brian Leedman
Non-Executive Chairman
[email protected]
+61 (0) 412 281 780
About us:
About BlinkLab Limited:
BlinkLab Limited (ASX:BB1), a company founded by neuroscientists at Princeton University, over the past several years has fully developed a smartphone based diagnostic platform for autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, and other neuropsychiatric conditions. BlinkLab’s most advanced product is an autism diagnostic test that leverages the power of smartphones, AI and machine learning to deliver screening tests specifically designed for children as young as 18 months old. This marks a significant advancement, considering traditional diagnoses typically occur around five years of age, often missing the crucial early window for effective intervention. BlinkLab is led by an experienced management team and directors with a proven track record in building companies and vast knowledge in digital healthcare, computer vision, AI and machine learning. Our Scientific Advisory Board consists of leading experts in the field of autism and brain development allowing us to bridge the most advanced technological innovations with groundbreaking scientific research.
Contact details:
Jane Morgan
Jane Morgan Management
Investor & Media Relations
[email protected]