![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/www2.baylor.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/lugo-mar20.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Autism researchers know they\u2019re in it for the long run. Even as more attention has been focused on autism nationally, little is still known about the roots of the disorder. Frustrated families often end up sorting through a mix of rumor and speculation for guidance.<\/p>\n
Dr. Joaquin Lugo<\/a>, BS \u201999, is looking to change that. From his lab<\/a> in the Baylor Sciences Building, Lugo’s research examines the connections between autism and epilepsy<\/a> to glean a deeper understanding of the disorder. His lab\u2019s mission is succinct — \u201cto improve the quality of life in children with epilepsy, autism and other neurological disorders\u201d — but the path to get there is multifaceted.<\/p>\n In the last decade, researchers have recognized a strong connection between autism and epilepsy; about 25% of individuals who suffer from epilepsy have autism, and the reverse holds true, as well. At Baylor, Lugo focuses on a less-studied aspect of the disorders: early development.<\/p>\n \u201cOur hope is that by targeting this early on,\u201d Lugo says, \u201cwe can have long-term impacts.\u201d<\/p>\n An early breakthrough came while examining the long-term impact of seizures on communication and behavior, as researchers found that seizures result in autistic-like behavior. With each finding comes countless further avenues to explore, in pursuit of discoveries that can lessen or alleviate the impact of the disorders. Autism\u2019s evasiveness ensures that Lugo and his students conduct \u201clots of projects, to see if one wins out\u201d as they \u201cfollow the data, whatever it drives.\u201d<\/p>\n