Susan Brown

Dr. Brown is a neurophysiologist who studies motor coordination across the life span and in neurological disorder conditions, such as cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease. She has a particular interest in linking theoretical motor control approaches and clinical research in the area of neurological rehabilitation. She directs an active research laboratory that provides research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.

Based on research demonstrating that Parkinson's patients could improve their walking ability if visual or auditory cues accompanied their movement, Brown is examining whether sensory cueing may facilitate upper limb performance and postural control in older individuals and people with Parkinson's disease. She collaborates with Dr. Edward Hurvitz in U-M's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to assess the effectiveness of intensive training on upper limb performance in children with spasticity. Besides evaluating different therapeutic strategies, these studies will provide rehabilitation specialists with much needed quantitative assessment methods currently unavailable in clinical settings. Brown's research interests also include age-related changes in hand function and force control. More recently she has initiated a collaborative project with Dr. Daniel Monyeki, University of the North (South Africa) where they are examining the effects of malnutrition on motor coordination in children and adolescents.