About John Growdon, MD

John Growdon is Professor of Neurology at the Harvard Medical School and attending neurologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital.  He graduated from Northwestern University in 1960 with a BA in English Literature and obtained the MD degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965.  His post-graduate training was in Internal Medicine at the University of Chicago Hospitals (1965-69), in Neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital (1971-74) and in Neurochemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1975-1977).  Since 1982, he has directed the Memory and Movement Disorders Units at the Massachusetts General Hospital, which provide diagnostic services and continuing care for individuals with Parkinson disease and related movement disorders, and for individuals with cognitive impairments and dementia, including Alzheimer disease.  

Departments, Centers, & Programs:

Clinical Interests:

Treats:

Locations

Mass General Neurology
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 855-644-6387

Medical Education

  • MD, University of Pennsylvania
  • Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Residency, University of Chicago Hospitals

American Board Certifications

  • Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.


Research

Dr. Growdon founded the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (http://madrc.mgh.harvard.edu) funded by the National Institute on Aging and currently serves as the Director of the Memory Disorders Unit, which is the clinical arm of the Center.  He is also Director of the Movement Disorders Unit, which is the clinical unit for the MGH Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson Disease Research funded by the National Institute for Neurologic Diseases and Stroke.  His research interests center on the clinical neurology and neuropharmacology of Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, along with efforts to uncover biologic markers of these disease that could lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment. 

Publications

  • 1.  Gomperts SN, Rentz DM,  Moran E, Becker JA, Locascio JJ, Klunk WE, Mathias CA, Elmaleh DR, Shoup T, Fischman AJ, Hyman BT, Growdon JH, Johnson KA.  Imaging amyloid deposition in Lewy body diseases.  Neurology 2008;71:903-910.

    2.  Atri A, Shaughnessy LW, Locascio JJ, Growdon JH.  Long-term course and effectiveness of combination therapy in Alzheimer disease.  Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord  2008;22:209-222.

Reviews: Comments and Ratings

4.7out of 5(54 Ratings, 25 Comments)

March 2025

Absolutely outstanding!


March 2025

Clearly knowledgeable and experienced. A little brusque to start but warmed considerably. Good visit.


March 2025

I've seen this care provided for 15 years so we've worked quite well together. [redacted]


March 2025

Dr. Growdon explained what he was doing, what he was looking for, what he found, what his conclusions were, and what his predictions were. He outlined plans, and I know what I'm supposed to do and what he's going to do. And he did all this in an affiliative and trusting way, and I was very pleased with the visit. The first visit that I had with ... Read More


March 2025

It's probably the very best experience I've had with any doctor ever. The doctor could not have been more helpful. Very, very, very wonderful man and a very knowledgeable physician. I could not be more pleased. And the other nurses and people that helped me as I was going in, I didn't wait long. Everybody was courteous and helpful. It was the best ... Read More


March 2025

Dr. Growdon is very caring and compassionate and thorough and competent. He's probably one of the best providers I've ever had in my life and I really appreciate him.


February 2025

Dr. Growdon, as well as [redacted], his PA, have always been responsive to my requests, explaining, and available. We have been a long-time patient, my husband has, of Dr. Growdon.


February 2025

I went to the wrong location and he waited for me even though I was his last patient. He was very knowledgeable, kind, and caring. Excellent doctor!!!


January 2025

My Doctor is very thorough and respectful


January 2025

Dr. Growdon exuded brains and experience, giving me calm counsel. He conducted himself like a "real " doctor- interested, concerned and with a point of view. Navigating the healthcare landscape can be difficult. He made it easy, smart and efficient.

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