An MR-Compatible Virtual Reality System for Assessing Neuronal Plasticity of Sensorimotor Neurons and Mirror Neurons

Virtual reality (VR) assisted rehabilitation system is being used more commonly in supplementing upper extremities (UE) functional rehabilitation. Mirror therapy (MT) is reportedly a useful training in encouraging motor functional recovery. However, the majority of current systems are not compatible with magnetic resonance (MR) environments. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data, for measuring neuronal recovery status, can only be collected by these systems after the participants have been done with the VR therapy. As a result, real-time observation of the brain in working status remains unattainable. To address this challenge, we developed a novel MR-compatible VR system for Assessment of UE motor functions (MR.VRA). Three different modes are provided adapting to a participant’s appropriate levels of sensorimotor cortex impairment, including a unilateral-contralateral mode, a unilateral-ipsilateral mode, and a unilateral-bilateral mode. Twenty healthy subjects were recruited to validate MR.VRA for UE function rehabilitation and assessment in three fMRI tasks. The results showed that MR.VRA succeeded in conducting the fMRI tasks in the MR scanner bore while stimulating the sensorimotor neurons and mirror neurons using its embedded therapies. The findings suggested that MR.VRA may be a promising alternative for assessing neurorehabilitation of stroke patients with UE motor function impairment in MR environment, which allows inspection of direct imaging evidence of activities of neurons in the cortices related to UE motor functions.