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Focus on James E. Galvin, MD, MPH

James E. Galvin, MD, MPH is an associate professor of neurology, psychiatry and neurobiology and director of the Memory Diagnostic Center. His areas of interests include Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegenerative disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and geriatric neurology.

Dr. Galvin sees patients at the Memory Diagnostic Center, 4488 Forest Park, Suite 160.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL 314 286-1967.

What lead you to choose neurology as your specialty?

I grew up in a two-family home – we lived on the first floor and my grandparents lived on the second floor. During my junior year in high school, my grandfather, who I was very close to, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Over the next 12-15 years, I watched a very vital person develop progressive neurological impairment – first just motor involvement, and later dementia. I always wanted to be a doctor, and as I watched my grandfather battle Parkinson’s, I decided to become a neurologist.

What brought you to Washington University?

Because I trained, did my fellowship and had my first faculty position all in Philadelphia – I thought I would stake my claim and move out into new horizons. I was very interested in pursuing my research and clinical career at a large medical center, so I sent letters to several large institutions. After a number of interviews and job offers, I decided that Washington University really fit everything I was looking for in my career.

Which aspect of your practice is most interesting?
 
All aspects of it are interesting. I enjoy working with older adults and I learn a lot from every patient that I meet -- everyone has an interesting, fascinating and unique story. It’s hard to say that any one part is better than the other. I enjoy my current position because it combines clinical practice with clinical research.
 
What types of research do you do?

I am interested in the broader category of neurodegenerative diseases and this involves research in Alzheimer’s and the pathology of Parkinson’s disease. Although they are two distinct disorders, many older adults have both cognitive problems as well as movement problems. My interest lies in understanding the common themes between the two disorders. About 40% of patients with Alzheimer’s develop Parkinsonism and about 70% of patients with Parkinson’s develop a dementia. There is a tremendous overlap between the two disorders, and that is what I study.

Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s on the horizon?

Through our studies of biological markers, we are beginning to understand some of the earliest changes in the brain that eventually lead to Alzheimer’s disease. The more we understand those early changes, the more likely we are to develop treatments that can prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease. However, because we are still in the process of understanding the biological steps, those treatments are still far off.

If someone had a parent with Alzheimer’s disease, would that put them at a greater risk of also getting the disease?

Alzheimer’s, for the most part, is what we call a sporadic disorder. It is not inherited. But, like any disease, if you have a parent that has it and you share genes from your parent, it does put you at a slightly increased risk. That is true for every disease – high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and Alzheimer’s. We have a project that is called the Adult Children Study. We are studying the children of patients who had Alzheimer’s as well as those who did not, to see if family linkage makes any difference in terms of the development of the disease.

What part of the East coast are you from?

I grew up in New Jersey. We moved to St. Louis in 2000 -- it is a very nice place to live and raise our family.

Do you have a particular award or achievement that is most gratifying?

It’s most gratifying when you know your patients appreciate the care you have given them. Washington University asks patients to complete a satisfaction survey after their doctor’s visit. When the results of this year’s surveys were totaled, there were 43 doctors that had, by far, the highest satisfaction scores. Of those 43 doctors, 10 were neurologists -- of the 10 neurologists, three were from this office. I was one of the three. I like to think that I provide good quality patient care, but it is especially meaningful when the patients and their families are also satisfied. Even though our practice is small (as a group we see between 800 to 1000 people per year), we are consistently recognized for doing an outstanding job.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I have three sons – one is in college and two are still home. They keep us busy doing lots of things that revolve around their many activities. I love cooking -- I’m thought to be a fairly good cook and I enjoy cooking for friends and family. I’m a history buff – so I love to read. I read books that my children couldn’t possibly understand why I would want to read (way too boring!). I’m particularly interested in medieval history. I also enjoy exercising – I run, lift weights and swim.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

That’s a hard question to answer, because you can learn something from everybody you meet. I’ve received lots of good advice -- things to do and things not to do. I think what makes you the best person you can become, is to take all the things you learn and incorporate them into your everyday practice. I think everybody I’ve ever interacted with has influenced me in some way.

Is there a lifestyle change you feel could most benefit our health?

Yes, absolutely. I’ve had my own little renaissance as someone who used to eat poorly, not sleep well and not exercise. There is abundant evidence that the best thing a person can do for cardiovascular and brain health is to stay physically fit, mentally active and eat a healthy diet. It’s important to keep your mind stimulated --regardless of what your medical or neurological condition might be. Not everybody is going to run a marathon, but everybody can do something to stay physically active.

I strongly believe in lifelong learning. I think we are meant to continue to learn new information throughout the course of our life. People who seek out new knowledge will be better off in the long run than those who don’t search for new activities. If you’re not a computer whiz, you can read a book, join a club, or become a member of a community organization. An “apple a day to keep the doctor away” is still very wise advice. Despite all the medical advances in the past hundred years, the best thing I can tell my patients is to eat well, exercise and stay mentally active.
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Copyright 2009 Washington University School of Medicine
Copyright 2009 Washington University School of Medicine