Susan Theresa Iannaccone, MD
Pediatric Neurologist
Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Languages Spoken:
- English
Biography
After completing her training in pediatric neurology, Susan Iannaccone, M.D., focused her clinical and research efforts on helping children with neuromuscular conditions including those diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and spinal muscle atrophy. For more than 40 years, she has committed her career to improving the future health and well-being of the children she serves – each inspires her every day.
In addition to working as a pediatric neurologist at Children's Health℠, Dr. Iannaccone is a tenured Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology and Neurotherapeutics at UT Southwestern, where she holds the Warren A. Weinberg Endowed Chair for Pediatric Neurology and Learning. She is the Associate Director of Wellstone Center for Muscular Dystrophy at UT Southwestern. Throughout her career, Dr. Iannaccone has been an academic leader teaching hundreds of medical students, residents and fellows – inspiring the next generation of medical leaders.
Dr. Iannaccone earned her medical degree at State University of New York, Syracuse. She completed her residency in pediatrics at St. Louis University and her residency in neurology at Strong Memorial Hospital/University of Rochester, where she was Chief Resident. She is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with special qualification in child neurology.
Dr. Iannaccone is an active researcher and currently serves as the primary investigator or co-primary investigator for a number of clinical trials including the investigation of new treatments for spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. She has spent years researching these conditions and has been awarded grants for research from the National Institute of Health, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, FDA, CureSMA and other organizations. Her work, over 100 papers, has been published in peer reviewed journals.
As a muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy expert, Dr. Iannaccone lectures nationally and internationally, sharing her knowledge, latest advancements and best practices in the field of pediatric neuromuscular disease. She serves on numerous editorial boards including the Journal of Pediatric Neurology, Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine and Neuromuscular Disorders. She is a member of the top professional organizations, both nationally and internationally, including the American Academy of Neurology, the American Neurological Association, the International Child Neurology Association, American Society for Neurorehabilitation and more.
Since 1991, Dr. Iannaccone has volunteered as the Camp Physician in Charge at the Annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Camp for children. In recognition of her quality patient care, Dr. Iannaccone has been repeatedly recognized as a top pediatric specialist by D Magazine and Texas Monthly Magazine.
Education and Training
- Medical School
- State University of New York (SUNY) at Syracuse (1969)
- Internship
- SUNY Upstate Medical University (1970), Pediatrics
- Residency
- St. Louis Childrens Hospital (1972), Pediatrics
SUNY Upstate Medical University (1971), Pediatrics - Fellowship
- Strong Memorial Hospital (1975), Neurology
- Board Certification
- American Board of Psy&Neurology/Child Neurology
Conditions
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Congenital myopathy
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
- Hypotonia (floppy muscle syndrome)
- Muscle weakness
- Muscular dystrophy (MD)
- Myasthenia gravis (MG)
- Myotonic dystrophy
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Paralysis
- Polyneuropathy cognitive disorders
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
Departments and Programs
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Research Interests
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Neuromuscular diseases
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
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Publications
Publications
- Recruitment & retention program for the NeuroNEXT SMA Biomarker Study: Super Babies for SMA! Bartlett A, Kolb SJ, Kingsley A, Swoboda KJ, Reyna SP, Sakonju A, Darras BT, Shell R, Kuntz N, Castro D, Iannaccone ST, Parsons J, Connolly AM, Chiriboga CA, McDonald C, Burnette WB, Werner K, Thangarajh M, Shieh PB, Finanger E, Coffey CS, Yankey JW, Cudkowicz ME, McGovern MM, McNeil DE, Arnold WD, Kissel JT Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2018 Sep 11 113-119
- Placebo-controlled Phase 2 Trial of Drisapersen for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. McDonald CM, Wong B, Flanigan KM, Wilson R, de Kimpe S, Lourbakos A, Lin Z, Campion G, Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2018 Aug 5 8 913-926
- Congenital titinopathy: Comprehensive characterisation and pathogenic insights. Oates EC, Jones KJ, Donkervoort S, Charlton A, Brammah S, Smith JE, Ware JS, Yau KS, Swanson LC, Whiffin N, Peduto AJ, Bournazos A, Waddell LB, Farrar MA, Sampaio HA, Teoh HL, Lamont PJ, Mowat D, Fitzsimons RB, Corbett AJ, Ryan MM, O'Grady GL, Sandaradura SA, Ghaoui R, Joshi HB, Marshall JL, Nolan MA, Kaur S, Punetha J, Töpf A, Harris E, Bakshi M, Genetti CA, Marttila M, Werlauff U, Streichenberger N, Pestronk A, Mazanti I, Pinner JR, Vuillerot C, Grosmann C, Camacho A, Mohassel P, Leach ME, Foley AR, Bharucha-Goebel D, Collins J, Connolly AM, Gilbreath HR, Iannaccone ST, Castro D, Cummings BB, Webster RI, Lazaro L, Vissing J, Coppens S, Deconinck N, Luk HM, Thomas NH, Foulds NC, Illingworth MA, Ellard S, McLean CA, Phadke R, Ravenscroft G, Witting N, Hackman P, Richard I, Cooper ST, Kamsteeg EJ, Hoffman EP, Bushby K, Straub V, Udd B, Ferreiro A, North KN, Clarke NF, Lek M, Beggs AH, Bönnemann CG, MacArthur DG, Granzier H, Davis MR, Laing NG Ann. Neurol. 2018 Apr
- Nusinersen versus Sham Control in Later-Onset Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Mercuri E, Darras BT, Chiriboga CA, Day JW, Campbell C, Connolly AM, Iannaccone ST, Kirschner J, Kuntz NL, Saito K, Shieh PB, Tulinius M, Mazzone ES, Montes J, Bishop KM, Yang Q, Foster R, Gheuens S, Bennett CF, Farwell W, Schneider E, De Vivo DC, Finkel RS N. Engl. J. Med. 2018 02 378 7 625-635
- NINDS Common Data Elements for Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Research: A National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke Project. Lawlor MW, Iannaccone ST, Mathews K, Muntoni F, Alai-Hansen S, Odenkirchen JC, S Feldman R J Neuromuscul Dis 2018 5 1 75-84
- Natural History of Infantile-Onset Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Kolb SJ, Coffey CS, Yankey JW, Krosschell K, Arnold WD, Rutkove SB, Swoboda KJ, Reyna SP, Sakonju A, Darras BT, Shell R, Kuntz N, Castro D, Parsons J, Connolly AM, Chiriboga CA, McDonald C, Burnette WB, Werner K, Thangarajh M, Shieh PB, Finanger E, Cudkowicz ME, McGovern MM, McNeil DE, Finkel R, Iannaccone ST, Kaye E, Kingsley A, Renusch SR, McGovern VL, Wang X, Zaworski PG, Prior TW, Burghes AHM, Bartlett A, Kissel JT Ann. Neurol. 2017 Nov
- Diagnosis and management of spinal muscular atrophy: Part 2: Pulmonary and acute care; medications, supplements and immunizations; other organ systems; and ethics. Finkel RS, Mercuri E, Meyer OH, Simonds AK, Schroth MK, Graham RJ, Kirschner J, Iannaccone ST, Crawford TO, Woods S, Muntoni F, Wirth B, Montes J, Main M, Mazzone ES, Vitale M, Snyder B, Quijano-Roy S, Bertini E, Davis RH, Qian Y, Sejersen T Neuromuscul. Disord. 2017 Nov
- Diagnosis and management of spinal muscular atrophy: Part 1: Recommendations for diagnosis, rehabilitation, orthopedic and nutritional care. Mercuri E, Finkel RS, Muntoni F, Wirth B, Montes J, Main M, Mazzone ES, Vitale M, Snyder B, Quijano-Roy S, Bertini E, Davis RH, Meyer OH, Simonds AK, Schroth MK, Graham RJ, Kirschner J, Iannaccone ST, Crawford TO, Woods S, Qian Y, Sejersen T Neuromuscul. Disord. 2017 Nov
Books
- Anterior Horn Cell and Cranial Motor Neuron Disease. In Swaiman KF, Ashwal S, Ferriero DM, eds. Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice. Vol. 2. 4th ed. Connolly AM, Iannaccone ST. (2006). Philadelphia: Mosby Company; 1859-1885.
- Genetic Neurological Disease. In Rosenberg RN, Pleasure DE, eds. Comprehensive Neurology. 2nd ed. Rosenberg RN, Iannaccone ST. (1998). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Intensive Care Management, Including Cardiorespiratory Care. In Jones HR, DeVivo DC, Darras BT, eds. Neuromuscular Disorders of Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence: A Clinician's Approach. 1st ed. Scott WA, Iannaccone ST. (2003). New York: Butterworth Heinemann, Elsevier; 1237-1250.
- Treatment and Management of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Congenital Myopathies. In Bertorini TE, ed. Neuromuscular Disorders: Treatment and Management. 1st ed. Ionita C, Iannaccone ST. (2010). Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 179-190.
- Childhood Spinal Muscular Atrophy. In Younger DS, ed. Motor Disorders. 2nd ed. Iannaccone ST, Khatri I. (2005). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 491-499.
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Professional Activities
- Academy of Pediatrics
- American Academy of Neurology
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- International Child Neurology Association
- Muscular Dystrophy Association of America
- New York Academy of Science
- SMA TExpert Panel for Newborn Screening (2017)
- Southern Society for Pediatric Research
- The Society for Pediatric Research
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Awards and Honors
- D Magazine Best Pediatric Specialists (2010-2013, 2016-2018, 2020)
- Special award from graduating Pediatric Neurology residents for mentoring (2010)
- Member of Executive Council American Neurological Association 2008 - Present (2008)
- Texas 2008 Super Doctors - Texas Monthly (2008)
- Chair, Section on Child Neurology - American Academy of Neurology 2007 - 2009 (2007)
- Neurology Alumni Award - University of Rochester Department of Neurology (2000)
