Bernhard Suter, MD

Bernhard Suter, MD is the Medical Director of the Blue Bird Circle Rett Center at Texas Children’s Hospital and Director of the CDKL5 Center of Excellence, which provides specialized care and expertise for individuals affected by CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD). He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine.

As long-time investigator on the NIH Natural History of Rett Syndrome study and author on the pivotal publication on developing anchors for the Rett CGI scales, as well as multiple publications on key features in Rett syndrome, and as site-PI for a U01 (U01NS114312) for clinical trial readiness in CDKL5 deficiency disorder, he has thorough experience in collecting disorder specific Natural History data and adapting and validating clinical outcome assessments in rare neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dr. Suter has thorough experience in collecting disorder-specific Natural History data and adapting and validating clinical outcome assessments in rare neurodevelopmental disorders. This experience includes being a long-time investigator on the NIH Natural History of Rett Syndrome study and author on the pivotal publication on developing anchors for the Rett CGI scales, as well as multiple publications on key features in Rett syndrome, and as site-PI for a U01 (U01NS114312) for clinical trial readiness in CDKL5 deficiency disorder.

Because of his experience as PI of two gene replacement therapies – one for Rett syndrome and one for NGLY1 deficiency – and as site-PI for two clinical trials that laid the foundation for FDA approval of these first drugs specifically approved for Rett and CDKL5 deficiency syndrome respectively, Dr. Suter is intimately familiar with the critical need for disease-focused outcome assessments for trials to be successful. One of his major points of focus is to develop objective outcome assessments of gait and movement in a professional movement lab for these disorders.

Personal Statement

I strive for excellence in the care of children with neurologic diseases in childhood, with a focus on neurodevelopmental disorders and autism. I equally have a strong research interest in restrictions of motor function associated with autism spectrum disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders in general.

In my scientific research I strive to unravel the underlying cortical network dysfunction leading to motor deficits, in a mouse model of autism. My hope is to discover patterns of malfunction in cortical activity that will be amenable to therapy, which then can be carried over to the bedside of our patients.

Education

Organizations

* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Blumcke I, Suter B, Behle K, Kuhn R, Schramm J, Elger CE, Wiestler OD. Loss of hilar mossy cells in Ammon?s horn sclerosis. Epilepsia 2000; 41 Suppl 6: S174-80. PMID: 10999540.