Overview

• Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a virtual reality (VR) headset for mice, called the Miniature Rodent Stereo Illumination VR (iMRSIV), to better study their brain activity and behavior.
• The iMRSIV headset, unlike previous methods using screens, provides an immersive 3D experience for the mice, blocking out the real-world view and offering depth perception.
• The headset allows researchers to simulate various scenarios, including navigating mazes and experiencing the threat of a predator, leading to more natural behavior from the mice.
• The researchers found that the mice engaged with their VR surroundings more quickly and effectively than with standard 2D screen setups.
• The team plans to refine the design to make the iMRSIV smaller and more portable, and hopes to see the technology adopted by other researchers and academic institutions.