2024 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-19-2024

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Sydney Boutros, Dr. John Bieter, and Dr. Peter Mullner

Abstract

Our team aims to create a device that can be used with commercially available virtual reality (VR) headsets to detect Alzheimer’s earlier than any other available tests. We are researching our VR device to explore how it can be useful in a clinical context. The Medical Ambassadors team is currently working on two goals for our project. The first is finding scents that are suitable for large demographics and that are distinguishable from one another. The second goal is reaching out to medical professionals to gain insight into the future of our device and gather feedback from practitioners who understand Alzheimer’s. These professionals can help us understand the need for Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how to tailor our device to fit that need. Next, the Data Team is focusing on collecting preliminary data to assess the validity of our device and tests. Currently we are running tests with one of the two VR games with student participants at Boise State University. The goal of this testing is to work out any kinks in the game and understand how this game can be useful for earlier Alzheimer’s detection. We will broaden the scope of our participants and obtain data from a wider demographic in the future. To do this, we are partnering with the YMCA to collect data at their facilities. We hope to survey participants with a variety of ages and ethnicities which are not available at Boise State.

Comments

This project is supported by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Boise State Vertically Integrated Projects Program.
For more information go to https://www.boisestate.edu/vip/brain-health-vr-scent

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