Virtual reality isn’t just a human endeavor anymore. Scientists have recently unveiled an innovative technology that allows mice to cutely and more realistically immerse themselves in VR settings within a laboratory environment.
Developed by researchers at Cornell University, this technology, called MouseGoggles, offers a groundbreaking way for mice to experience VR. During experiments, mice exhibited vivid reactions to the simulated environments displayed through the goggles. This advancement promises to streamline animal studies that utilize VR as a tool.
Though the concept of mice using VR may seem amusing at first, it holds significant potential. By simulating natural environments for mice under meticulously controlled conditions, VR can enhance scientific studies. Presently, the usual setups involve placing mice on treadmills surrounded by computer or projected screens, which often don’t encompass the entire field of vision a mouse has. Consequently, it may take time for the creatures to engage with the virtual environment, if they do at all.
Cornell’s team believes that MouseGoggles represent a notable advancement over conventional VR setups for mice. Rather than constructing a tiny Oculus Rift from the ground up, they opted to assemble their system using small, cost-effective components borrowed from smartwatches and other readily available devices. Much like other VR systems, mice using MouseGoggles are placed on a treadmill with their heads secured to the goggles, exposing them to visual stimuli.
“This project definitely tapped into a hacker mindset—taking components designed for one thing and repurposing them for something entirely new,” explained Matthew Isaacson, lead scientist and postdoctoral researcher at Cornell. “It turns out, the perfect size display for a mouse VR headset matches those made for smartwatches. Luckily, we didn’t have to build or design components from scratch. We sourced all the inexpensive parts we needed with ease.”
To validate their system, the researchers subjected the mice to various stimuli, while meticulously recording brain activity and watching their behavior. Through numerous experiments, it was evident that the mice genuinely perceived and reacted to the VR. For instance, in one scenario, they observed how mice responded to an approaching dark shape, mimicking a potential predator.
“In traditional VR setups with large screens, mice didn’t respond at all,” Isaacson shared. “However, the first time a mouse saw that shadow through the goggles, it nearly always jumped, reacting instinctively as if it were under threat from a lurking predator.”
Their findings were recently published in the journal Nature Methods. The development of realistic VR for mice may have extensive future benefits. Improved VR experiments could enable scientists to delve deeper into understanding mouse brains, particularly in models simulating conditions like Alzheimer’s. This enhanced insight could revolutionize studies related to spatial navigation, memory, and potentially offer better routes for researching treatments for neurological disorders.
Isaacson and his team aren’t the sole pioneers in the realm of VR for mice, but they claim theirs is the first to incorporate detailed eye and pupil tracking. Currently, they are working on a lightweight, mobile VR setup suitable for larger rodents like rats or tree shrews. Additionally, they’re exploring future enhancements, such as simulating taste and smell.
