Scientists Develop a Miniature VR Headset for Enhanced Mouse Research

At Cornell University, researchers have taken a creative leap with their development of ‘MouseGoggles’—a petite virtual reality headset equipped with eye-tracking capabilities designed specifically for mice. This innovation is being utilized to delve deeper into complex behaviors during neural recordings.

Historically, systems that brought VR to small animals faced challenges due to their size, lack of immersivity, and absence of advanced features, such as eye-tracking. But with MouseGoggles, showcased in a recent study, Cornell’s team aimed to crack open new insights into the wiring of the mouse brain, a long-standing model for probing behavioral and neurological phenomena.

To validate their findings, the researchers monitored neural activity within the visual cortex, confirming that the visual stimuli were conveyed with precision. They also noted the device created an engaging virtual sphere, evident from the data collected through hippocampal activity, experiments with reward-based learning, and fear responses elicited by virtual threats.

Guided by the expertise of Chris Schaffer, a professor of biomedical engineering at Cornell Engineering, along with Ian Ellwood, an assistant professor of neurobiology and behavior, the research team aims to broaden the adoption of VR methodologies across neuroscience investigations.

“It’s not often one encounters a scenario where a developed tool surpasses the capabilities of existing ones while being easier and less costly to produce,” remarked Matthew Isaacson, a postdoctoral researcher, in an interview with the Cornell Chronicle. “MouseGoggles brings a new breadth of experimental capacity to neuroscience—it’s more accessible and could easily find its way into numerous labs.”

Interestingly, these MouseGoggles were constructed using affordable, readily available parts like smartwatch screens and miniature lenses, forming a neat and compact system. The device also benefited from common tools, including the Godot game engine and a Raspberry Pi 4, which the team adapted with a split-screen display driver.

The squad envisions that their innovations could stir interest in fabricating lightweight, standalone VR headsets for larger creatures like tree shrews and rats. At this juncture, MouseGoggles provide a stationary experience, using a sphere-shaped treadmill to simulate motion. The ambitious researchers are keen on integrating sensory elements such as taste and smell to heighten the VR experience’s immersivity.

“I believe virtual reality encompassing all five senses is essential for studies aiming to decode sophisticated behaviors,” Schaffer mentioned to the Cornell Chronicle. “This will help us explore how mice process sensory data, balance it with internal drives like hunger or rest, and ultimately decide their course of action.”