Virtual Reality System for Analyzing Human Brain Neuronal Networks

Project goal: To integrate high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans into a virtual reality platform. Visualizing high-resolution MRI scans of white matter tracts in the brain via a virtual reality platform allows students and researchers to learn about and interact with 3-D imaging data. The virtual reality platform provides an immersive visualization of fiber tract maps acquired by diffusion tensor imaging, and provides interactive tools for education and research to develop a better understanding of brain regions. The educational modules feature a dynamic menu that displays information on the brain regions as the user moves through the simulation. This platform comes with a Python-based file-conversion tool that allows users to load new MRI scans. The design uses the Unity game engine, which allows the platform to run the full version using the Oculus Rift headset, and a smaller streamlined version as an Android mobile application.