Virtual reality isn’t just for humans anymore; even mice are entering the VR world in the most adorable fashion. At Cornell University, scientists have introduced an innovative VR technology designed specifically for these tiny rodents, aptly named MouseGoggles. During lab experiments, mice wearing these goggles seemed to respond vividly to the simulated stimuli, suggesting a breakthrough in how scientists can conduct VR-related animal studies.
Though the idea of mice navigating virtual worlds may seem amusing, it serves a practical purpose. VR can be a powerful tool in creating naturalistic environments for mice under controlled conditions. Traditionally, these setups are quite cumbersome; typically, mice are placed on treadmills and surrounded by computer or projection screens. Not only do these screens fail to cover a mouse’s entire visual field, but it also takes a while for the mice to react to the VR, if they react at all.
Cornell researchers believe MouseGoggles are a major improvement over the usual VR systems for mice. Instead of crafting a miniature version of an Oculus Rift from the ground up, they used tiny, affordable components from smartwatches and other gadgets. Like existing systems, mice using MouseGoggles are placed on a treadmill, with their heads fixed to the goggles, ready to receive visual stimuli.
“The project really got a boost from a hacker’s mindset of repurposing parts designed for other uses and fitting them into a novel context,” explained Matthew Isaacson, the lead scientist and postdoctoral researcher at Cornell, in the Cornell Chronicle. “The perfect-sized display for a mouse VR headset was conveniently the same as what’s used for smartwatches. Fortunately, we didn’t need to start from scratch; we had easy access to all the cost-effective parts we needed.”
To verify their system’s effectiveness, the researchers exposed mice to varied stimuli while monitoring brain activity and behavior. In several trials, they found that the mice genuinely reacted to the VR environments as anticipated. For example, one test involved presenting the mice with a dark blotch moving closer, mimicking a potential predator’s approach.
“In the conventional setup with the large screens, the mice showed no response at all,” Isaacson recounted. “Yet, with the goggles, the first encounter with the stimulus startled almost every mouse. It was as if they were truly convinced a predator was attacking.”
Their study was published recently in the journal Nature Methods. Looking ahead, the researchers foresee numerous benefits from this advancement in realistic VR for mice. For example, it could enhance our understanding of brain activity in mice models for Alzheimer’s, particularly in regions associated with spatial navigation and memory. It might also advance basic research on potential treatments for brain disorders.
Isaacson and his team aren’t alone in developing VR systems for mice, but they claim theirs is the first to feature eye and pupil tracking. They’re also working on creating a lightweight, mobile VR system tailored for larger rodents like rats or tree shrews. Future iterations may even include enhancements like simulating taste and smell—promising an even more comprehensive virtual experience for these small creatures.
