Neural Circuits & Behavior
Schroeder-Lab
Prof. Dr. Anna Schroeder
Circuits for Behavioral Flexibility
Exploring how neural circuits transform internal drives into action
The way that we feel has a profound influence over our behavior. Emotions like fear or motivations like curiosity can prompt us to flee from danger or to explore, while physiological needs such as hunger or fatigue might cause us to conserve energy by reducing movement. Yet, our responses are highly adaptable; in different environments, we might hide or fight when afraid, forage or rest when hungry, showing that our behaviors are flexible and shaped by both internal states and the external context.
Despite the critical importance of these computations for survival, we know surprisingly little about where in the brain they occur or how the brain achieves them. The goal of the Schroeder lab is to investigate how the brain generates internal states and then uses this vital information, along with external sensory cues and learned information from past experiences, to adapt behavior in dynamic environments.
In particular, our lab studies how emotions, motivations and needs are processed in the subthalamic circuits of the mysterious zona incerta, an emerging hub that regulates an impressive range of behaviors. In parallel, we aim to develop new therapeutic directions for psychiatric disease via neuromodulation. To achieve these goals, we use cutting-edge molecular, cellular and circuit-level technologies in mouse models, along with diverse behavioral paradigms and advanced machine learning techniques.
Methodology:
- In vivo calcium imaging using 2-photon microscopy or Miniscopes
- Whole-cell patch-clamp slice electrophysiology
- Optogenetics
- Chemogenetics
- Viral circuit tracing
- Single-cell RNA-sequencing
- Multiplexed fluorescent in situ hybridization
- State-driven behavioral paradigms
- Transgenic mouse models
Publications:
Selected publications:
Hartung, J., Schroeder A., Péréz Vázquez R.A., Poorthuis R.B., Letzkus J.J.*. (2024) Layer 1 Ndnf interneurons are specialized top-down master regulators of superficial cortical circuits. Cell Reports. 43(5), 114212. DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.02.560136.
Schroeder A.*, Pardi M.B., Keijser J., Dalmay T., Groisman A.I., Schuman E.M., Sprekeler H., Letzkus J.J.*. (2023) Inhibitory top-down projections from zona incerta mediate neocortical memory. Neuron. 111(5), 727-738.e728. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.010.
Pardi M.B., Schroeder A., Letzkus J.J.*. (2023) Probing top-down information in neocortical layer 1. Trends in Neurosciences. 46(1), 20–31. DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.11.001.
Condomitti G., Wierda K.D., Schroeder A., Rubio S.E., Vennekens K.M., Orlandi C., Martemyanov K.A., Gounko N.V., Savas J.N., de Wit J.*. (2018) An input-specific orphan receptor GPR158-HSPG interaction organizes hippocampal mossy fiber-CA3 synapses. Neuron. 100(1), 201–215.e9. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.08.038.
Schroeder A., Vanderlinden J., Vints K., Ribeiro L.F., Vennekens K.M., Gounko N.V., Wierda K.D., de Wit J.*. (2018) A modular organization of LRR protein-mediated synaptic adhesion defines synapse identity. Neuron. 99(2), 329–344.e7. Chosen as an ‘Issue Highlight.’ DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.06.026.
Group members:
| Name | Title | Tel | Responsibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schroeder, Anna | Prof. Dr. | anna.schroeder@bio.lmu.de | +49 89 2180 74307 | Group leader |
| Rajadhyaksha, Reuben | rajadhyaksha@bio.lmu.de | +49 89 2180-74315 | Technical assistant | |
| Erbörü, Hüma | h.erboerue@bio.lmu.de | +49 (0)89 2180-74369 | PhD Student | |
| Wettlaufer, Julian | j.wettlaufer@bio.lmu.de | Phd Student |
Open Positions:
We invite applications from highly motivated individuals to join our team!
More information about how to apply to join the lab can be found here: https://www.annaschroederlab.com/join-the-lab
News
April 25th, 2025
Rise Up! funding for Anna Schroeder
Anna Schroeder has been awarded funding of around 600,000 euros from the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation.
September 5th, 2024
Millions in funding from Brussels: Six talented early-career researchers have obtained prestigious starting grants from the European Research Council.
January 6th, 2023
Scientists discover that the mysterious ‘zone of uncertainty’ enables the brain to rapidly form new memories
Funding:
