Miniature VR-Oki for Tailed Mice Enhances Brain Research

Researchers from the Northwest University of the United States (Northwestern University, Nu) developed virtual reality glasses for mice. Glasses offer more immersion experience for mice in laboratory conditions, allowing you to more accurately study the neural schemes that underlie the behavior of living creatures.

Unlike already existing systems where mice are simply surrounded by screens, new VR-Ochka provide a more complete immersion, excluding the visibility of the laboratory environment. They also allow you to simulate a three-dimensional space and create the conditions for simulating the so-called “threat from above”, according to the type of birds of prey, which was unattainable earlier.

VR allows you to study the activity of the mouse brain in real time in controlled conditions, which cannot be achieved in a natural environment. With the use of a treadmill and tiny VR shafts, researchers can observe the brain activity of mice moving in a virtual space.

VR system of the miniature rodent stereo Illumination (IMRSIV) consists of two lenses and two screens that provide each mouse eye with a 180-degree field of view. Glasses placed immediately in front of the mouse muzzle completely immerse the animal into a virtual environment.

Studies have shown that the brain of mice with VR-Ochka is activated similarly to freely moving animals. Mice with glasses are involved in the simulated scene faster and are taught more effective tasks compared to traditional VR systems.

Thanks to imitation of the threat of above, scientists were able to obtain natural reactions of animals to danger, such as acceleration of running or fading, which allowed to study their neural activity in detail.

Professor Daniel Dombek, a