Mary P. Galea is a neurologist based in Parkville, VIC, working out of Grattan Street. Neurology can feel overwhelming at first, especially when symptoms affect movement, speech, nerves, or everyday body functions. Mary focuses on making sense of what is happening and mapping out a clear plan for care.
Mary looks after people with a range of neurological conditions. This includes multiple sclerosis (MS) and other nerve and brain conditions, like stroke and traumatic brain injury. At times, patients may also be dealing with problems such as spasticity, muscle weakness, muscle loss (muscle atrophy), and issues with coordination or balance, including cerebellar degeneration.
Some of the cases Mary sees involve long-term motor nerve conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), primary lateral sclerosis, and cramp-fasciculation syndrome. There are also nerve-related conditions such as peripheral neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy, where pain, pins and needles, or numbness can make daily life harder.
Symptoms can also involve the body’s automatic functions. Mary cares for people with issues like frequent or urgent urination, orthostatic hypotension (feeling light-headed when standing), and autonomic dysreflexia. These can be serious, and getting the right support early is important. In many cases, the goal is to reduce symptoms and help patients feel safer and more in control.
Speech and swallowing can be affected too, including dysarthria, where speech becomes slurred or harder to understand. Mary also treats cases where brain or spinal tumours are part of the picture, such as ependymoma, working alongside other clinicians involved in the person’s overall treatment.
Because neurological conditions vary so much from person to person, care often needs to be practical and ongoing. Over time, treatment may involve adjusting medicines, reviewing scan and test results, and coordinating with the wider health team. Mary works with patients and carers to explain options in plain language and to keep decisions grounded in what matters most for day-to-day life.
