Wagner Lab

Our aim is to gain a better understanding of how the human brain allows us to flexibly adapt to new experiences, learn new information and form long-lasting memories. Such neural plasticity is influenced by the microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract — the gut microbiome. Part of our research is dedicated to the fascinating question of how brain function is shaped by gut microbes.

We mainly conduct our research with the help of human participants who volunteer for neuroimaging (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) to assess their brain structure and function. To characterize aspects of cognitive performance, such as individual memory ability, we use different cognitive tests .