Brain Health with Virtual Reality: A Novel Device to Test Smell Identification

We have built a scent-delivery system that integrates with virtual reality (VR). This system is integrated with a VR headset to deliver precisely timed and concentrated scents to the user, based on in-game activities, in order to assess and monitor scent detection abilities. Our goal is to utilize this device and our custom VR games for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our VR-Scent device includes a housing unit made from PETG filament , which houses and connects the hardware to the VR headset. An Arduino microcontroller serves as the platform to control the activation of four atomizers, each corresponding to a distinct scent. These atomizers, featuring metal plates sealed in rubber casing, operate via a transducer that converts electronic signals into vibrations, causing the atomizer plates to eject the scent solution. The scent is then directed towards the user through specifically placed fans. With this system, we are able to assess the user's olfactory abilities. Loss of smell is an early indicator of AD, often appearing 5-10 years before the hallmark symptoms. By analyzing the capacity to detect and differentiate various scents, we hope to provide a non-invasive tool for early detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative conditions.