CCRB won two Gold Medals and a Special Award in the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, 16-20 April 2024

Project 1: Using ARIA to study the risk of autism and global developmental delay in preschoolers

In 2021, CCRB developed ARIA technology to assess the risk of ASD in adolescents, with a sensitivity of up to 90%. It analyses captured retinal images to identify if there are characteristics such as those related to the thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer of the children’s eyes. Researchers have recently demonstrated that the same methodology can be used in children aged 2-6 and can distinguish ASD from global developmental delay. The study included more than 28 local NGOs and educational institutions.

Professor Benny Zee Chung-Ying, Director of CCRB at The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care at CU Medicine, said, “This project provides hope for ASD children, allowing them to be targeted with the most relevant educational intervention programme from a very young age.”

The project was awarded a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury and a Special Award from the Korean Invention Promotion Association (KIPA).

Project 2: ARIA technology detects depression risk in adults

A previous CCRB study showed ARIA can estimate the risk of depression, anxiety and stress in patients who have recovered from nasopharyngeal cancer years after completing chemoradiation therapy. The research team demonstrated in this project that psychiatric hospital patients with depression can be detected using ARIA. Also, as the digital approach allows for fast, easily scalable, accurate assessment of the risk of depression in community screening and routine follow-up of patients in remission, it will make a significant contribution to depression prevention and management.

Professor Zee added, “Both of our projects share some common traits. They are inventions dealing with challenging social problems that need a breakthrough with innovative solutions. We have a lot of support from organisations in the related fields and service providers facing these challenges. Thanks to Heep Hong Society, Hong Chi Association, Hong Kong Catholic Diocesan Kindergarten, Hong Kong Lutheran Social Services, YWCA, YMCA, Y’s Men International Hong Kong District, Caritas Rehabilitation Services, Castle Peak Hospital and Yan Chai Hospital. The dedication and guidance of these organisations, who show us the community’s needs, are the key to the success of the innovative development of potential solutions. We also thank all the students, parents, and participants for their trust and cooperation in the study.”

中大「全自動視網膜圖像分析」證有效評估自閉症及抑鬱症風險獲第49屆日內瓦國際發明展三項大獎

項目一：ARIA技術評估學前兒童患ASD及整體發展遲緩的風險

臨床研究及生物統計中心於2021年發表研究結果，證實ARIA技術可透過拍攝「眼底相」識別視網膜特徵，例如神經纖維層有否變薄，計算兒童及青少年罹患ASD的風險及辨識患者，靈敏度高達9成。研究團隊最近將技術推展至2至6歲學前兒童作評估，以識別ASD及整體發展遲緩，並已經與本地28所非牟利組織及教育機構合作。

中大醫學院賽馬會公共衞生及基層醫療學院臨床研究及生物統計中心主任徐仲鍈教授表示：「此研究為ASD兒童提供希望，讓他們可以及早接受適合的教育與介入。」項目在日內瓦國際發明展獲評審團嘉許金獎和特別獎—韓國發明振興協會（KIPA）獎。

項目二：ARIA技術檢測成人患抑鬱症風險

中心早前另一項研究證實ARIA技術可以為鼻咽癌康復者在完成電療化療的幾年後，評估患上抑鬱症、焦慮症或出現其他壓力的風險。研究團隊其後與精神科醫院合作研究，進一步確認ARIA技術能檢測患有抑鬱症的病人。電子檢測方式快捷、延伸性大，容易應用於社區作風險評估工具，同時可協助跟進抑鬱症個案，對於預防及管理抑鬱症有很大的作用。

徐教授補充說：「兩個研究項目的共通點是利用創科上的突破，去解決具有挑戰性的社會問題。我們非常感謝相關領域各個組織及服務機構的支持，包括協康會、匡智會、天主教香港教區幼稚園、香港路德會社會服務處、香港基督教女青年會、香港中華基督教青年會、國際聯青社香港分區、明愛康復服務、青山醫院及仁濟醫院。它們的投入及指導，向我們展示了社區的需求，是科研發展及尋找解決方法的關鍵。我們也感謝所有學生，家長及參與者對本次研究的信任與配合。」