Baylor University · PsychologyNeonatal Seizures and Autism Research Lab
Joaquin N Lugo · Waco, Texas
Research Focus
Dr. Joaquin N Lugo's lab focuses on understanding the relationship between early-life seizures and the development of autism-like behaviors in mice. By exploring how seizures affect the brain during critical periods of development, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets that could mitigate long-term behavioral issues associated with epilepsy. This research combines animal models with molecular techniques to provide insights that may lead to new treatments for children with epilepsy and related behavioral challenges.
epilepsyautismcomorbidityneonatal seizuresbehavioral impairmentscomplement signalingneuroinflammationtherapeutic interventionsmouse models
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the role of complement signaling in the comorbidity of epilepsy and autistic-like behaviors.
AIM 02Examine the effects of neonatal seizures on cognitive and behavioral outcomes in mice.
AIM 03Identify potential therapeutic targets for preventing behavioral impairments associated with epilepsy.
AIM 04Evaluate the impact of pharmacological inhibition of the complement pathway on seizure-induced behavior.
AIM 05Analyze brain tissue to study the molecular changes following early-life seizures.
Skills the Lab Values
RTC-qPCRWestern blottingGolgi-Cox staininganimal handlingbehavioral testingimmunohistochemistryelectroencephalographydata analysismolecular biology techniques
Output against the department
Publications124bottom 40% of dept.178th of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.6kbottom 24% of dept.224th of 296
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.