Humans aren't the only ones entering the world of virtual reality. Scientists have just released new technology that allows rats to experience VR in a more realistic and cute lab.
Researchers from Cornell University developed this technology. They aptly named it MouseGoggles in their experiments with mice. Rodents appear to respond more clearly to simulated stimuli while wearing glasses. This innovation should make it easier for scientists to conduct VR-related animal studies.
As funny as the idea of VR sounds for rodents But there are practical uses for it. In principle, VR would allow scientists to simulate a natural environment for rats under more controlled conditions. However, right now, the most commonly used setup is cumbersome. Mice are often placed on a treadmill while they are surrounded by a computer or projection screen. However, these screens cannot cover the mouse's entire field of view. And it can take a long time for animals to respond to the VR environment, if they do so at all.
Cornell researchers think their MouseGoggles are a big step up from standard mouse VR. Instead of trying to build a small Oculus Rift from scratch They build systems using small parts. It's a cheap one that borrows from existing smartwatches and other devices. Like other VR systems, mice are placed on a treadmill to use the MouseGoggles, their heads fixed on the goggles while they are exposed to visual stimulation
“It definitely benefits from the hacker ethos of taking pieces that were made for something else and applying them to a new context,” said scientist Matthew Isaacson, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell. tell Cornell Chronicle, the university's news agency. “It seems like the perfect sized display for a mouse VR headset is pretty much already made for smartwatches. We were lucky that we didn't have to build or design anything from scratch. We were able to easily source all the inexpensive parts we needed.”
To confirm the viability of the system The researchers exposed the rats to various stimuli. At the same time, they measured their brain activity and observed their behavior. from various tests The researchers found that the rats actually seemed to see and respond to VR as expected. For example, in one condition, they tracked how the rats reacted to black dots that gradually faded away. came close, possibly representing a potential predator.
“When we tried this type of test in a typical VR setup with a large screen, The rats were unresponsive,” Isaacson said. “But almost all the rats The first time I saw him wearing glasses. They will jump.” They had an extremely startled reaction. They seemed to think they were being attacked by a real predator.”
The team's research found that published earlier this month in the journal Nature Methods.
The researchers say that developing more immersive VR for mice could have several benefits in the future. Precise VR experiments may help scientists map and understand the brain function of mice simulating Alzheimer's disease. can get better Specifically, areas related to navigation and spatial memory. It may also improve basic research studies testing treatments for brain disorders.
Issacson and his colleagues aren't the only researchers who have. just created VR system for mice, but they say they are the first to combine eye and pupil tracking. And they are developing a lightweight mobile VR setup that could be used on large rodents like rats or voles. They also hope to include additional upgrades in future iterations, such as finding ways to simulate flavors and aromas.