Brain

A view through the new miniaturized goggles, which can accurately simulate natural environments. Image by Dom Pinke

Faculty, Research December 13, 2023

Immersive VR goggles for mice unlock new potential for brain science

Goggles enabled researchers to study responses to overhead threats for first time

Northwestern University researchers have developed new virtual reality (VR) goggles for mice.

Besides just being cute, these miniature goggles provide more immersive experiences for mice living in laboratory …

Microscopy image of a dopamine neuron subtype that displays activity correlated to locomotion but no response to rewards. Image by Maite Azcorra and Zachary Gaertner

Faculty, Research August 7, 2023

Dopamine controls movement, not just rewards

New study finds dopamine neurons are more diverse than previously thought

In a new Northwestern University-led study, researchers identified and recorded from three genetic subtypes of dopamine neurons in the midbrain region of a mouse model.

Although there is a …