Anesthesiology

Voltage-gated sodium channels are foundational to neuronal excitability and mutations in sodium channels are known to cause severe epilepsy syndromes in which patients experience seizures that are difficult to manage and have a substantial risk for sudden unexpected death. My research in the lab of Manoj Patel seeks to clarify how specific sodium channel mutations alter corresponding biophysical properties, neuronal excitability, and ultimately identify the mechanisms underlying spontaneous seizures and sudden death.