The Mood Brain and Development Unit, has as its primary goal the elucidation of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying depression and related mood disorders. Depression is associated with aberrant processing and learning of environmental rewards. These aberrations can be studied using experimental tasks where subjects receive various rewards and their respective decision making is modeled. However, current experimental tasks are implemented in limited laboratory settings not resembling real-life experiences and lacking ecological validity. Last year, our Unit purchased equipment through Mode Four, LLC to conduct experiments and programming on novel virtual reality (VR) platforms and to pilot treatments that are using this modality. The VR equipment helped boost the Unit's translational potential for ecological validity, efficiency, youth-friendliness, and suitability for innovative treatment.