Researchers made VR goggles for mice to study how their brains respond to swooping predators

Imagine it or not, scientists have been utilizing digital actuality setups to review mind exercise in lab mice for years. Previously, this has been carried out by surrounding the mice with flat shows — a tactic that has apparent limitations for simulating a practical surroundings. Now, in an try to create a extra immersive expertise, a staff at Northwestern University really developed tiny VR goggles that match over a mouse’s face… and most of its physique. This has allowed them to simulate overhead threats for the primary time, and map the mice’s mind exercise all of the whereas.

The system, dubbed Miniature Rodent Stereo Illumination VR (or iMRSIV), isn’t strapped onto the mouse’s head like a VR headset for people. As a substitute, the goggles are positioned on the entrance of a treadmill, surrounding the mouse’s whole discipline of view because it runs in place. “We designed and constructed a customized holder for the goggles,” mentioned John Issa, the research’s co-first creator. “The entire optical show — the screens and the lenses — go all the best way across the mouse.”

Of their checks, the researchers say the mice appeared to take to the brand new VR surroundings extra rapidly than they did with the previous setups. To recreate the presence of overhead threats, like birds swooping in for a meal, the staff projected increasing darkish spots on the tops of the shows. The way in which they react to threats like this “is just not a discovered habits; it’s an imprinted habits,” mentioned co-first creator Dom Pinke. “It’s wired contained in the mouse’s mind.”

With this technique, the researchers had been in a position to report each the mice’s outward bodily responses, like freezing in place or rushing up, and their neural exercise. Sooner or later, they might flip the state of affairs and let the mice act as predators, to see what goes on as they hunt bugs. A paper on the approach was revealed within the journal Neuron on Friday.

This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/researchers-made-vr-goggles-for-mice-to-study-how-their-brains-respond-to-swooping-predators-215927095.html?src=rss

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