Recently published study examining brain reaction in rats found that it responds in a different way when stimulated by ordinary world stimuli versus the environment of virtual world. The results of the study may provide additional clues about the ways our brain merges information provided by our bodily sensors, which then form the complete picture of our surroundings. The study can also improve our understanding of new therapy methods based on VR that could be implemented in treatment of depression or autism.
Key Takeaways:
- Dr. Mayank Mehta of UCLA invented a complex virtual reality environment in which to test rats.
- A person moving through a VR environment relies on different stimuli than when in the real world.
- They discovered something they named an eta rhythm that was strengthened when rats were in VR.
“Disruptions to the theta rhythm also impair the rat’s learning and memory, including the ability to learn and remember a route through a maze.”
Read more: https://neurosciencenews.com/vr-neuroplasticity-memory-learning-18826/