ERC Starting Grant for Isabella Anderson-Wagner

Understanding the connection between gut bacteria and the brain

In the ERC-funded research project “MemoryLane”, Isabella Anderson-Wagner and her team aim to clarify how the gut microbiome affects the neural basis of memory processes. The focus of their work is 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.

About

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. Anderson-Wagner received her degree in Psychology from the Karl-Franzens-University in Graz and obtained her PhD in Medical Sciences from Radboud University in the Netherlands (2017). Between 2016 and 2021 she worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Radboud University and the University of Vienna. Since 2021, she has been appointed an assistant professor and is the principal investigator of the Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the University of Vienna.