What do you see when you look in someone’s eyes – laughter, love, loss?
But it seems that our eyes can reveal much more. Indeed, a new tool being developed at the University of Aberdeen may be the first to accurately diagnose major mental health problems. Last night, the spin-out company set up to exploit the technology won the prestigious Converge Challenge at Heriot Watt University. Saccade Diagnostics won a first prize valued at £60,000 in cash and kind.
Around the world, the economic cost of mental health problems has been estimated at $2.5 trillion. There have even been suggestions that this could more than double by 2030. As many as 5% of adults suffer from some of the most serious forms of psychiatric disorders. However, these are the least understood of conditions with existing techniques such as brain scans and DNA research unable to produce markers which can diagnose individual patients.
Madhu Nair
CEO and co-founder of
SACCADE Diagnostics
The tool developed in Aberdeen appears superficially to be quite simple. What it does is measure the movement of persons eyes. This allows the software to recognise abnormalities which are unique to specific mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. The astonishing thing is that the tests can be carried out and the results made available in a mere 30 minutes. It success rate is an astounding 95% – nothing else offers this level of speed and accuracy.
The company beat off a very strong field of contenders for the prize. Its chief executive, Madhu Nair, said that his ultimate goal was to set up his own business. “I’m particularly thrilled that I have managed to have been trained and mentored in so many aspects of business management – an invaluable experience that helps to bridge the academic and commercial worlds. This has been an incredible experience for both myself and the other finalists.”
All of the six finalists have already received a substantial amount of high-level training as part of the selection process. Saccade Diagnostics will now benefit from an injection of £35,000 in cash and £25,000 of other support from the private sector. This is the biggest prize fund of its kind in Scotland and, over the last four years, has produced a number of successful and growing businesses.
John Swinney MSP
at the Converge Challenge 2013
The competition was praised by the finance secretary, John Swinney, who described it as “an opportunity for Scotland’s students and researchers to develop their knowledge and commercial skills, while providing them with the validation and confidence they require to encourage their entrepreneurial spirit. The growth that Converge Challenge has enjoyed over the past few years is a testament to how important competitions like this have become in university circles.”
The Challenge is attracting a growing number of applicants each year. It gives students and members of staff from any Scottish university and research Institute access to both training and support to develop the entrepreneurial skills and explore the commercial potential of their inventions. This year’s entries covered a wide range of innovative business projects – they range from consumer products do not all drugs, from renewable energy devices to web applications and service-based businesses.
Both universities themselves and the Scottish Funding Council have pledged themselves to continue supporting the Challenge. Over the next three years, they will between them provide funding of almost £900,000 to support this as Scotland’s flagship entrepreneurial business competition.
Kanika Bansal, MediCen Devise, University of Edinburgh
Dawn Maskell, Horizon Proteins, Heriot Watt University
John Biddlestone, The Asymmetrical Bra, University of Dundee
Dr Colin Simpson, TriScribe, University of Edinburgh
Madhu Nair, SACCADE Diagnostics, University of Aberdeen
Liita Lyaloo Naukushu and Helen Fisher, Beckdales Limited, University of Edinburgh