Discovering The Brain’s Internal Compass Through Virtual Reality

Zhengang Lu and Russell Epstein, from nan University of Pennsylvania, led a study to explore how group support their consciousness of guidance while navigating naturalistic, virtual reality cities. 

As reported successful their new JNeurosci paper, nan researchers collected neuroimaging information while 15 participants performed a taxi driving task successful a virtual reality city. Two encephalon regions represented forward-facing guidance arsenic group moved around. This neural awesome was accordant crossed variations of nan metropolis pinch different ocular features. The awesome was besides accordant crossed different phases of nan task (i.e., picking up a rider versus driving a rider to their drop-off location) and various locations successful nan city. Additional analyses suggested that these encephalon regions correspond a wide scope of facing directions by keeping way of guidance comparative to nan north–south axis of nan environment. 

According to nan researchers, these findings propose that these encephalon regions whitethorn service arsenic a neural compass. Says Epstein, "Losing your consciousness of guidance is thing that tin hap successful neurodegenerative diseases, truthful continuing to research nan usability of these 2 encephalon regions whitethorn thief pinch early discovery aliases monitoring progression of these diseases. We're besides willing successful knowing really group navigate utilizing some ocular and soul cues-this would subordinate to nan challenges faced by group pinch impaired vision."