A Virtual Reality System

A Comprehensive Virtual Reality System of Software and Hardware for Realistic Neurobehavioral Studies in the Laboratory or in MRI Scanners.

What is VR Worlds?
VR Worlds is a virtual reality (VR) package of software and hardware for creating real-life simulations for neurobehavioral studies in the laboratory or in MRI scanners. It consists of an interactive virtual world of multiple environments and dozens of characters that can be freely navigated by subjects, and accompanying hardware to enable navigation and manipulation of objects within the simulated world.

What are some features?
A flexible start-up interface allows experimenters to setup the simulation in a variety of ways. Interactive characters will provide social interactions. Memory cues can be placed or removed from the world. Maps can be used for navigation aides. Money can be used to purchase items, to travel and to gamble in a casino. Continuous tracking of the subject’s movements within the world is provided by data-logging to a spreadsheet and to a VCR for neurobehavioral analysis. Simultaneous physiological monitoring (ECG, EEG, respiration, skin conductance) can be provided and time-stamped for comparison with cues within the VR simulation.

What types of experiments might be performed with Virtual Worlds?
Investigators are currently using VR for a variety of studies including those focusing on memory, spatial navigation, anxiety disorders, desensitization therapy and drug craving. Some of these studies have been performed in MRI scanners, and we have used the system to collect fMRI data during a spatial navigation memory task, an executive function task and a smoking craving study.

Why Use VR in Your Experiments?

Less contrived, more realistic experiments for controlled laboratory studies of behavior and social interaction.

Develop experiments with realistic scenarios for testing memory, spatial navigation, anxiety disorders, desensitization therapy, drug craving and more.

Neuroimaging experiments for studies of brain activation are often abstract and severely limited by movement constraints. Virtual reality allows simulated movement within a meaningful setting with social context.

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¿ Baumann SB. A neuroimaging pilot study of task loading and executive function using a virtual apartment. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 14(2):183-190, 2005.

¿ Baumann SB, Neff C, Fetzick S, Stangl G, Basler L, Vereneck R, Schneider W. A virtual reality system for neurobehavioral and functional MRI studies. CyberPsychology and Behavior, 6(3):259-266, 2003.

¿ Baumann, S.B., Sayette, M. Smoking cues in a virtual world provoke craving in cigarette smokers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, in press.

¿ Gron G, Wunderlich AP, Spitzer M, Tomczak R, Riepe MW. Brain activation during human navigation: gender-different neural networks as substrate of performance. Nat Neurosci, 3(4): 404-408, 2000. 

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¿ Moffat SD, Zonderman AB, Resnick SM. Age differences in spatial memory in a virtual environment navigation task. Neurobiol Aging, 22(5): 787-796, 2001. 

¿ Pine, DS, Grun, J, Maguire EA, Burgess N, Zarahn E, Koda V, Fyer A, Szeszko PR, Bilder RM. Neurodevelopmental aspects of spatial navigation: a virtual reality fMRI study. Neuroimage, 15: 396-406, 2002.

What hardware will be available with the system?
Minimally, a joystick and mouse are needed, but to increase the sense of immersion within the virtual world, additional hardware can be used such as a head-mounted display with stereo-headphones, a dataglove and a motion tracker. Later this year we hope to offer fMRI compatible hardware options - such as a joystick, touchpad, dataglove and motion tracker - that will be accessible and integrated with the software.  Currently, 5DT datagloves (some MRI compatible) can be used with the software to replace the use of the joystick.  A dual stereo-projector system for 3D display in MRI scanners will be available in early 2006.

What type of PC will it require?
We recommend a minimum of a 1.5 GHz, PC with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP and a 3D accelerator graphics card containing at least 64 MB of RAM.  Performance is greatly enhanced with faster computers and better graphics cards, such as the ATI 9800 with 128 MB of RAM.

When will the system be available and how much will it cost?
Version 1 is now available, free of charge! The software and some of the hardware is typically displayed at several conferences each year including the following annual meetings:

Cognitive Neuroscience Society - New York, NY May 5-8, 2007

Human Brain Mapping Organization - Chicago, IL June 10-14, 2007

Cybertherapy - Washington, DC June 11-14, 2007

Society for Neuroscience - San Diego, CA November 3-7, 2007

Further inquiries can be addressed to Dr. Steve Baumann (steve.baumann@pstnet.com)

Custom Work
We also do custom design and development of novel VR applications under a contract model. After technical specifications are discussed and agreed upon, a price quote can be provided. Some groups have adopted this model to obtain their VR software needs within a shorter time period.   

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Last modified: April, 26, 2007