Scientists have developed virtual reality (VR) goggles for mice, allowing researchers to study brain activity and behavior in immersive environments. The VR goggles were built using low-cost, off-the-shelf components such as smartwatch displays and tiny lenses.
The new setup, called MouseGoggles, requires a mouse to stand on a ball-shaped treadmill with its head fixed in place while wearing the headset. Researchers tested the system by projecting an image of an expanding dark blotch towards the mice, which resulted in a strong startle reaction. The goggles were found to form sharp, high-contrast images that can be seen by mice.
The researchers plan to further develop the VR goggles, including a lightweight mobile version, and explore incorporating more senses such as taste and smell into the VR experience. This technology could provide new insights into disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and allow for better understanding of brain activity in mammals.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-12-mice-headsets-easier-brain-response.html