Using AI for diagnosis: Italian startup QuantaBrain successfully concludes first round of investment

Incubated at IASP member Scientifica Venture Capital, QuantaBrain successfully concludes its first round of funding while developing a distinctive algorithm that improves the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. 

Based on an idea by CEO and founder Elena Ferrari, which led her to develop a new AI architecture designed to aid the diagnosis, QuantaBrain has since concentrated on studying and enhancing the diagnosis process for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders using quantitative criteria, rather than focusing only on neurological ones. The Italian startup's distinctive aspect is the capability to diagnose psychiatric disorders, which unlike neurological ones lack a known organic origin and how they present may change in each individual, so identifying unique biomarkers which aid in identification can be complex. 

Using magnetic resonance imaging as well as a unique artificial intelligence algorithm, QuantaBrain hopes to ease the diagnosis of those with autism spectrum disorder. Early diagnosis and therapy are found to be crucial, and the study aims to detect brain regions with anomalies in preverbal children. Their Deep Learning algorithm has been tested on the large existing international autism dataset, and it has been proven to diagnose ASD with 89% sensitivity and 88% specificity. 

In the words of Scientifica's Managing Partner Riccardo D’Alessandri "Scientifica’s investment emphasizes both the technological and scientific potential of projects, as well as the social benefit that can come from them. The incubator sees science as a driver of economic competitiveness and social well-being”.