VR2Real: Precision diagnostics for developmental disorders

VR2Real

VR2Real develops and validates new methods for studying neurodevelopmental disorders in realistic settings. Using mixed reality, biosensing, remote cognitive testing and neuroimaging, the project aims to better distinguish clinical conditions, understand attention deficits and support more precise and scalable diagnostics.

Project information

Project duration

-

Funded by

Research Council of Finland - Academy Project

Project funder

Research Council of Finland

Funding amount

599 938 EUR

Project coordinator

University of Oulu

Contact information

Project leader

Project description

Managing high cognitive loads plays an increasing role in modern societies, at the same time as the child and adolescent mental health crisis continues to grow. VR2Real uses novel extended reality, wearable and neuroimaging technologies to investigate individual differences in cognitive brain functions in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and learning disabilities.

In addition to improving understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders, the project aims to advance clinical practice by developing more precise and scalable objective diagnostic methods. Automated behavioural assessment that can be carried out without laboratory visits has the potential to make assessment more accessible, cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable and user-friendly.

Project actions

The project develops and applies mixed-reality, biosensing, remote cognitive testing and neuroimaging methods to study neurodevelopmental disorders. Its main objectives are to differentiate clinical conditions using rich behavioural and physiological data, examine attention deficits across real-world contexts, identify the neural mechanisms underlying attention difficulties in lifelike situations, and characterise their developmental trajectories.