FDA Authorizes Marketing of New Aid to Diagnose Autism

Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized marketing of a new device meant to help in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to anews release. The Cognoa ASD Diagnosis Aid uses a machine learning algorithm to aid physicians when evaluating patients from 18 months through 5 years of age who are at risk of ASD.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ASD is estimated to affect 1 in 54 children in the United States. The disorder can be difficult to diagnose as symptoms can vary, which can delay treatment and early interventions. The average age of diagnosis is 4.3 years, according to the FDA.“Autism spectrum disorder can delay a child’s physical, cognitive, and social development, including motor skill development, learning, communication, and interacting with others,” Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in the release. “The earlier ASD can be diagnosed, the more quickly intervention strategies and appropriate therapies can begin.”The ASD Diagnosis Aid allows parents, caregivers, and health care professionals to input details about their children or patients, then the software processes the information to make a diagnosis. It consists of three components: a mobile app that allows parents and caregivers to upload videos of their children and answer questions about behaviors; a video analysis portal through which certified specialists view and analyze u...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: autism autism spectrum disorder CDC Cognoa ASD Diagnosis Aid diagnostics FDA Source Type: research