Margaux Dubessy: Exploring Brain Behavior with Immersive VR

Functional MRI (fMRI) has traditionally struggled to capture real-world behavior due to the constraints of the scanner environment. Margaux Dubessy from the Fondation Campus Biotech Geneva demonstrates how immersive VR platforms are bridging this gap, allowing for "ecologically valid" experiments inside the bore. Key Advantages of VR in Neuroscience:. Ecological Validity: VR allows researchers to simulate complex, realistic tasks—such as navigating a virtual shopping mall—while maintaining absolute control over timing and sensory input., Reduced Dropout & Claustrophobia: By creating a "virtual twin" of the MRI room, patients can familiarize themselves with the space, significantly reducing anxiety. Some participants even reported a preference for VR-enabled scans over standard ones., Advanced Neural Insights: Studies using VisualSystem HD and Unity-based environments have revealed groundbreaking findings, such as brain activation patterns resembling grid cells during virtual exploration and improved long-term word retention through virtual embodiment., Engagement: The immersive nature of VR increases participant motivation, leading to higher data quality and better retention in longitudinal studies. Conclusion: VR is far more than a novelty; it is a transformative tool that combines presence and embodiment with rigorous experimental control, pushing the limits of what fMRI can reveal about human cognition.