At Cornell University, a team of researchers has crafted something quite intriguing: the ‘MouseGoggles’. Imagine a pint-sized VR headset, complete with eye-tracking capabilities, designed specifically for mice. This innovative tool is opening new doors in studying intricate behaviors while closely monitoring brain activity.
If you’ve ever dabbled with VR for small animals, you know the limitations—be it size, how immersive it feels, or the absence of advanced features like eye-tracking. But MouseGoggles is changing the game. In a recent publication, Cornell scientists have shared their aspirations to delve deeper into the enigmatic workings of the mouse brain, which, after all, has been a trusted model in behavioral and neurological research.
The robustness of their study was affirmed by capturing neural signals from the visual cortex, confirming that images were displayed crisply and efficiently. What’s more fascinating is how the VR headset managed to create a highly immersive environment, as evidenced by data from hippocampal recordings and tests involving reward learning and fear responses tied to virtual threats.
Guided by Chris Schaffer, a professor of biomedical engineering, and Ian Ellwood, an assistant professor specializing in neurobiology and behavior, the team envisions a future where VR methodologies are more widely embraced in the realm of neuroscience.
“In tool-making, it’s a rare opportunity to come up with something that’s not only more powerful experimentally than what we have but is also easier and less costly to construct,” shared Matthew Isaacson, a postdoctoral researcher, with the Cornell Chronicle. “We’re essentially amplifying experimental capability in neuroscience, and it’s a more approachable form of the technology, paving the way for wider implementation in labs.”
What stands out about MouseGoggles is that they are crafted from affordable, readily available components—think smartwatch screens and small lenses—to form this compact system. The mini VR headset operates using common tools like the Godot game engine and a Raspberry Pi 4, which the researchers modified to handle a split-screen setup.
Looking forward, the team envisions sparking interest in developing lightweight, independent headsets for larger rodents such as tree shrews and rats. The MouseGoggles currently provide a fixed-head VR experience, utilizing a ball-shaped treadmill to simulate motion. Exciting plans are in place to incorporate sensory elements like taste and smell, potentially enhancing the VR environment even further.
“I believe a fully sensory VR for mice is where we need to head, especially for experiments aiming to decode complex behaviors. We’re considering how mice blend sensory data while weighing internal motivations—like hunger or the need for rest—and ultimately deciding on their actions,” Schaffer remarked to Cornell Chronicle.
