Scientists Develop a Tiny VR Headset to Enhance Mouse Studies

Researchers at Cornell University have made an intriguing breakthrough with the development of ‘MouseGoggles’, a petite VR headset featuring eye-tracking capabilities designed specifically for mice. This innovation was put to the test to explore complex behaviors while simultaneously conducting neural recordings.

Until now, small-animal VR systems have struggled with issues related to size and immersive quality, not to mention the absence of sophisticated features like eye-tracking. The introduction of MouseGoggles, detailed in a newly released paper, represents a leap forward for researchers aiming to delve deeper into the workings of the mouse brain—widely regarded as the benchmark for neurological and behavioral studies.

To validate their work, the researchers examined neural activity in the visual cortex and verified that the images were conveyed with clarity and effectiveness. The virtual reality experience proved to be engaging, as evidenced by hippocampal recordings and tests with reward-based learning and fear reactions when mice encountered virtual looming objects.

Headlining this innovative team are Chris Schaffer, a professor of biomedical engineering at Cornell Engineering, and Ian Ellwood, an assistant professor in neurobiology and behavior at the College of Arts and Sciences. They aspire to promote the broader use of VR methodologies within neuroscience research.

“It’s truly exciting when you can design tools that surpass existing ones in both experimental power and simplicity as well as cost-effectiveness,” remarked Matthew Isaacson, a postdoctoral researcher, to the Cornell Chronicle. “This advancement not only enhances experimental capabilities within neuroscience but also makes the technology more accessible, potentially extending its use to numerous other labs.”

One of the remarkable aspects of MouseGoggles is that they were assembled using budget-friendly, readily available components, such as smartwatch displays and miniaturized lenses, to form a compact system. The petite VR headset also leverages common tools like the Godot game engine and a Raspberry Pi 4, set up with a split-screen display driver for operation.

Overall, this project could pave the way for heightened interest in designing lightweight, standalone headsets catered to larger rodents like tree shrews and rats. Currently, MouseGoggles offer a fixed-head setup, employing a ball-shaped treadmill to mimic movement. The researchers are also exploring the addition of sensory components like taste and smell to further enhance the VR experience.

“In the future, creating a comprehensive five-sense virtual reality for mice could be the key to scrutinizing convoluted behaviors,” Schaffer explained to the Cornell Chronicle. “In these scenarios, mice would integrate diverse sensory information and compare it with internal motivators, such as the need for rest or food, ultimately guiding their decision-making processes.”