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Dr. Torfi Sigurdsson

Institute of Neurophysiology
Neuroscience Center
Theodor-Stern-Kai 7
60590 Frankfurt

Tel +69-6301-84098
Fax +69-6301-6987

E-Mail: sigurdsson@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Web

Scientific Focus

Our group is interested in the neural mechanisms supporting cognition and goal-directed behavior in both health and disease. Specifically, we want to understand how neural activity is coordinated within networks of brain regions in order to guide intelligent behavior, and how such inter-areal coordination breaks down in neuropsychiatric illness. In this respect, we are particularly focused on the role of inter-areal networks consisting of the prefrontal cortex and its associated cortical and subcortical structures. To investigate such networks, we perform large-scale multi-site electrophysiological recordings, calcium imaging and optogenetic manipulations in mice performing behavioral tasks involving memory and decision-making. We also use these techniques to study mice that model risk factors for psychiatric illness in an effort to understand how such risk factors perturb brain function.

If you are interested in joining the lab, please send an email to sigurdsson@em.uni-frankfurt.de to enquire about open positions

Methods

  • Electrophysiological recordings
  • Microendoscopic calcium imaging
  • Optogenetic manipulations
  • Behavioral assessment of cognitive function
  • Animal models of psychiatric illness
  • Analysis of high-dimensional neuronal data

Selected Publications

Rummell, B.P., Bikas, S., Babl, S.S., Gogos, J.A., and Sigurdsson, T. (2023). Altered corollary discharge signaling in the auditory cortex of a mouse model of schizophrenia predisposition. Nature Communications 14, 1–15. 10.1038/s41467-023-42964-2.

Hanganu-Opatz, I.L., Klausberger, T., Sigurdsson, T., Nieder, A., Jacob, S.N., Bartos, M., Sauer, J.-F., Durstewitz, D., Leibold, C., and Diester, I. (2023). Resolving the prefrontal mechanisms of adaptive cognitive behaviors: A cross-species perspective. Neuron 111, 1020–1036. 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.03.017. (All authors contributed equally)

Vogel, P., Hahn, J., Duvarci, S., and Sigurdsson, T. (2022). Prefrontal pyramidal neurons are critical for all phases of working memory. Cell Reports 39, 110659. 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110659.

Duvarci, S., Simpson, E.H., Schneider, G., Kandel, E.R., Roeper, J*., and Sigurdsson, T*. (2018). Impaired recruitment of dopamine neurons during working memory in mice with striatal D2 receptor overexpression. Nature Communications 9, 2822. (*equal contribution) 10.1038/s41467-018-05214-4.

Sigurdsson, T., Stark, K.L., Karayiorgou, M., Gogos, J.A., and Gordon, J.A. (2010). Impaired hippocampal-prefrontal synchrony in a genetic mouse model of schizophrenia. Nature 464, 763–767. 10.1038/nature08855.

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