Gordon Buchanan, MD, PhD
Director, Medical Scientist Training Program
Beth L. Tross Epilepsy Associate Professor in Neurology
Biography
Research efforts in the Buchanan laboratory are focused on understanding basic mechanisms of epilepsy and sleep-wake regulation. We are particularly interested in the effects of seizures and vigilance state on cardio-respiratory control and how these may interact to lead to death following a seizure, or sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). We employ behavioral, surgical, electrophysiological, molecular, and histological techniques in conjunction with a variety of seizure induction methods to address our research questions. Our goal is to understand factors that render a given seizure fatal in an effort to help prevent SUDEP.