Isabella Anderson-Wagner’s research focuses on the neural underpinnings of learning and memory. She is particularly interested in the role of the gut microbiome, its impact on brain plasticity, and how it interacts with the individual risk for dementia and neurodegenerative disease.
In the ERC-funded research project “MemoryLane”, CoE Key Researcher Isabella Anderson-Wagner and her team aim to clarify how the gut microbiome affects the neural basis of memory processes. Their work focuses on the hippocampus – a brain structure inside the medial temporal lobe that is essential for well-functioning memory. To measure the function of the hippocampus, the research team will use advanced neuroimaging techniques and connect the outcomes to individual memory performance, as well as gut microbiome composition and function. The gut microbiome itself will also be investigated, as well as individuals with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This type of basic research will provide insights as to whether the gut microbiome is a viable route for managing the risk for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
To learn about Isabella’s research within the CoE Microplanet, visit WP 5.2.