Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Infant 0-2
- Child 3-12
- Adolescent 13-17
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
FemaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Charlotte Jane Sumner
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Neurology
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
Dr. Charlotte Sumner is a Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Sumner cares for patients with genetically-mediated neuromuscular diseases. Her practice is notable for a focus on individuals with inherited neuromuscular disorders of peripheral nerves and motor neurons, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. She co-directs the Johns Hopkins Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center, the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and the Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) clinics, which deliver multidisciplinary clinical care, engage in international natural history studies, and provide cutting edge therapeutics.
Dr. Sumner’s research focuses on developing treatments for degenerative disorders of motor neurons and peripheral nerves. Her laboratory uses human tissues and induced pluripotent cell lines, mouse models and cultured cells to characterize disease mechanisms and develop treatments.
Dr. Charlotte Sumner received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine following undergraduate studies at Princeton University. She completed internal medicine internship and neurology residency at the University of California San Francisco, after which she returned to the east coast for a neuromuscular fellowship at Johns Hopkins and a neurogenetics fellowship in the Neurogenetics Branch at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. She joined the neurology faculty at Johns Hopkins in 2006.
Centers and Institutes
Find a Clinical Trial
View all trials by this principal investigator.
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
A SMART Approach to SMA Research, NeuroLogic (March 2015)
Additional Academic Titles
Professor of Genetic Medicine, Professor of Neuroscience
Research Interests
Spinal muscular atrophy and Inherited Neuropathy
Research Summary
Dr. Sumner’s laboratory research focuses on the genetic and cellular pathogenesis of motor neuron and peripheral nerve disorders with particular attention to identification of disease genes, characterization of molecular and cellular disease mechanisms, and preclinical development of therapeutics. Her research efforts contributed to the scientific foundations leading to three FDA-approved, gene-targeted treatments for proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) caused by mutations of the survival motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1)-the first such treatments for a neurodegenerative disease. She also identified mutations of a cell surface expressed ion channel, transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) as a cause of SMA and CMT2 and is currently developing treatment for this disorder. Her research contributions have been recognized by elected membership in the American Society of Clinical Investigators and the American Association of Physicians. She serves as an advisor to multiple SMA, CMT, and peripheral neuropathy nonprofit foundations, government, and private companies. She is the coeditor of the only comprehensive book on SMA: Spinal Muscular Atrophy Disease Mechanisms and Therapy. As part of a commitment to make gene targeting therapeutics accessible throughout the world, she chairs the Spinraza Individual Patient Humanitarian Access Program Medical Expert Committee. She is committed to teaching at all levels with particular attention to training individuals underrepresented in biomedicine and has been awarded several teaching awards.
Google Scholar - Publications
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=Charlotte+Sumner&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C21&as_sdtp=
PubMed - Publications
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=sumner%2C+charlotte
Locations
- Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Floor 5, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Get Directions
- phone: 410-955-9441
- fax: 410-955-6402
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine, 2001
- Residency: UCSF Medical Center, Neurology, 2000
- Medical Education: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, MD, 1996
Board Certifications
- Neurology: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2001
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
58 ratings, 33 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/23/2026
Dr. Sumner has a wealth of knowledge and experience in neuropathy. She provides answer to all my questions and a plan to move forward.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/23/2026
Excellent. Very thorogh
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/9/2026
Dr Sumner gave me a very complete exam, asked questions about my history and listened.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/9/2026
Dr. Sumner is EXCELLENT! I've been seeing her for years and she is always professional, caring, and takes time to address any concerns. An expert in her field!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/2/2026
Dr. Sumner has followed me for many years and has been most helpful with my rare diagnosis RILP as she monitors my condition She is able to perform a complete exam on me and compare the results t my last visit and make the recommendations accordingly.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Dr Sumner went above and beyond the expected in the review of my records before my arrival, and the time spent face to face during my appointment in order to maximize my visit. She even expedited my check out so not to miss my flight.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/18/2026
Very caring of her patients
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/9/2026
Dr Sumner is knowledgeable, articulate , and who cares about her patients.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2026
Dr Sumner took a detailed Hx and performed a detailed clinical exam. I found her to be very thorough and she provided me with detailed feedback on her observations. Her explanations were easy to understand and very helpful. I would highly recommend her services.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/15/2025
She was amazing. She listened and explained everything before she did it.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/8/2025
This was my first visit with provider. She was/is outstanding in all respects. She was very knowledgeable about my health history.She conducted excellent exam, physically and orally.We communicated very well with each other. I
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/24/2025
She was wonderful and listen to all my concerns.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/24/2025
A very good visit
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/17/2025
JH Advantage + is fine.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/17/2025
She is knowledgeable and excellent doctor!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/3/2025
My neurologist has an incredible knowledge on my disease/issue.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/13/2025
Outstanding doctor!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/13/2025
Excellent care,
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/29/2025
Well spoken, clear, knowledgeable, good listener, very good explanations, caring and and to process my concerns and provide good counsel
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/8/2025
Very professional and knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/25/2025
Dr Sumner is very thorough in both discussing the problem/solutions and examining me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/11/2025
Dr. Sumner was very professional and prepared for my appointment. She took the time to review my history & asked appropriate questions to best diagnose my condition. She was kind & empathetic.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/4/2025
Dr Sumner is an excellent neurologistI am so happy and lucky to have her as my provider I came from Knoxville Tn to see her They helped me to put me on their scheduleEvery minute she appended for me was so valuable I admire herHer knowledge professionalism and dedication to her patient is so valuable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/23/2025
I feel she answered questions and explained things very well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/16/2025
Thanks for all you do to help me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/9/2025
Dr. Sumner is a Godess.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/2/2025
Dr. Sumner is an excellent doctor. I so wish she could have seen a friend with CMT, but we couldn't figure a way to get her here.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/2/2025
I know I'm getting the best care possible!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/28/2025
Dr. Sumner was very kind and thorough in providing care/exam, explaining condition, diagnosis, genetic testing, clinical trials, treatment options and what to expect as follow up to appointment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/12/2025
My visit was great and the provider was very attentive.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/5/2025
My appointment started late, but they let me know and were concerned.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/28/2025
Always excellent both in her knowledge of my condition and her care for my outcome.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/21/2025
Dr. Sumner was warm, attentive and seemed to genuinely care about my situation. I have seen many neurologists in my life but few have been as curious, open minded, and approachable as Dr. Sumner.