A research team from Northwestern University has created a device that can be worn on the head (or body) of a mouse.Micro virtual vision device, to study the brain activity of mice when they face various environmental threats.
This system is called iMRSIV (Micro Rodent Global VR). Unlike common virtual vision devices that are mainly worn on the head, this system is more like placing the mouse in a virtual visual environment. By surrounding the mouse with virtual vision devices, the mouse's movements are generated through virtual vision devices.
Previously, the research team had also considered presenting the surrounding scenery through a surround-view display screen, but for mice, this obviously could not form a realistic visual experience. Using a virtual vision device can more fully reproduce the visual images seen by mice.
To make the mice perceive the birds flying from the sky, the research team even projected a gradually expanding black shadow on top of the mouse's head. This reinforced the mice's perception of birds swooping down from the sky. They then learned that this type of reaction in mice was an imprinting behavior, not a result of acquired learning. This made the mice more alert to sudden shadows.
Furthermore, through this simulation, the research team was able to continuously record the mice's behavioral responses, such as whether they would freeze or flee faster when attacked by a bird, and their brain activity during this time. In the future, the team plans to have mice act as predators to study their brain activity and related bodily responses when hunting for food such as insects.
