University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · PharmacologyThe SUDEP Discovery Lab
Lori L. Isom · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Research Focus
Dr. Lori L. Isom's lab focuses on understanding how certain genetic conditions, specifically linked to epilepsy, can lead to serious complications like Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The lab studies the relationship between heart and brain function, using cutting-edge models such as transgenic rabbits that closely mimic human physiology. By exploring how specific gene changes affect both cardiac rhythms and breathing regulation during seizures, the lab aims to uncover new insights that could help prevent SUDEP and improve the lives of patients with epilepsy.
epilepsySUDEPcardiac arrhythmiasgenetic modelstransgenic rabbitsbrainstem excitabilityheart rate variabilityrespiration regulationSCN1A geneautonomic dysfunction
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate whether DS rabbits experience cardiac arrhythmias and altered heart rate variability alongside seizures.
AIM 02Examine the regulation of respiration in DS rabbits, analyzing neuronal activity in the brainstem during respiratory cycles.
AIM 03Test whether manipulating SCN1A gene expression can affect brainstem neuronal activity and cardiovascular responses in DS rabbits.
Skills the Lab Values
cardiac myocyte cultureneurophysiologygenetic engineeringanimal modelselectrophysiologyhypoxia exposure experimentsGABAergic synaptic transmissiondata analysis using statistical softwareCRISPR/Cas technologyrespiration monitoring methodologies
Output against the department
Publications210top 41% of dept.189th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations14ktop 28% of dept.129th of 462
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.