. >> we want this to be on the shelves next to pharmaceutical >> reporter: akili is developing gamespe to treat conditions like adhd and depression it affects more than six million kids in the u.s. akili improves kids' attention and inhibit control. >> the results showed that we can have a significant impact on attention function >> original hypothesis is if you can challenge your brain at this high level that activates the prefrontal cortex and network with the rest of the brain, you can have improvements in other aspects of cognition >> reporter: currently treatments option for adhd includes therapies a market that generates $4 billion a year. >> the idea that child sitting down and playing a game is remarkable and would change the landscape. but, i would want us to kind of look at from a skeptical lens. >> akili is planning to file fda approval >> it adjusts based on who it is different for every person >> what other applications could possibly come in the future? >> they're testing potential therapy in video games in depression they got some funding or partnership with around det

. >> a boston area biotech akili hopes to develop vamz that can treat depression and adhd.6 million kids in the u.s. the studies show that akili's game improved inhibtory control. >> the results i think showed us that pretty clearly we can have a significant impact on attention function >> the original hypothesis was that if you could challenge your brain at this high level that activates the prefrontal cortex, the most evolved part of our brains, and its network with the rest of the brain, could you have improvement in other aspects of cognition like how we sustain attention. >> currently it includes behavioral therapy and drugs like aderol and ritalin. experts say new options would be welcomed as long as they're validated. >> the idea of a child sitting down and playing a game is remarkable and would very much kind of change the landscape, but i would want us to kind of look at it from a skeptical lens >> so akili plans to file for fda approval early next year fewer serious side effects than traditional drug treatment the main things reported were headache and frustration

akili has funding from amgen's arm and shire investment group as well as a partnership with pfizer thatn disease risk detection it's still early and the field is eager for more data getting to play a video game would be a welcome option probably for the way we think about taking medicine. guys >> boy, that's for sure. now, you're talking about adhd i, you know, as my kids were growing up, the fear was that playing video games too much would cause a.d.d. attention deficit disorder i mean, but that's a whole different story there, right >> reporter: yeah, this is a very specifically-designed game with these sort of algorithms where they understand kind of what the stimulus is to the brain and try to essentially get the brain acting in a certain way that kids develop these better abilities to focus. and better attention abilities and they can take that from not just playing the games but it will last in other parts of their life. >> cool. >> was just talking about limiting screen time for his kids then you know it's something. >> then we'll know >> thank you, meg. >> reporter: thanks, guys