OHSU Parkinson Center

04/03/2026

Our paper of the month for April is "Effects of Levodopa on Gait in People With Parkinson’s Disease With and Without a History of Falls" by Martina Mancini, Patty Carlson-Kuhta, Jay Nutt, Fay Horak, and Vrutangkumar Shah.

The impact of levodopa on gait in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly in those with and without a history of falls, remains unclear. This study examines whether levodopa alters digital gait characteristics in fallers and non-fallers with PD to those observed in healthy controls (HC) and identifies key gait and turning measures most influenced by levodopa. The findings suggest that impaired turning and gait shuffling in PD may be associated with falls and that dopamine replacement therapy, as well as rehabilitation, focused on improving turning and gait shuffling may reduce fall risk.
https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/mdc3.70330

04/01/2026

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month 💙

Parkinson’s disease affects millions of people and their families, yet so much about it remains misunderstood. This month is about raising awareness, supporting those living with Parkinson’s, and pushing for continued research toward better treatments and a cure.

Let’s take time to learn, and stand together.

03/24/2026

We would like to invite you to join us for the New York Presbyterian 2026 Annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium for patients, caregivers, community partners, allied health professionals, and physicians in honor of Parkinson's Awareness Month. Below you will find the link to register for this event. The symposium is free to attend, but registration is required. We hope to see you there!

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: NYP 2026 Parkinson's Disease Symposium. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

03/24/2026

We are thrilled to have Martina Mancini representing OHSU's Balance Lab at the World PD World Parkinson Congress!

We’re excited to welcome Martina Mancini, Ph.D. (USA) as a Roundtable host at !
Her session will explore what’s new in gait and mobility research and the pipeline of advances for Parkinson’s.

View the Scientific Program:
https://wpc2026.org/ScientificProgram

03/02/2026

Today, we are highlighting, "Consensus expert recommendations for referral of Parkinson’s disease patients for deep brain stimulation surgery" by Delaram Safarpour and Nathan Hantke as our Paper of the Month for March.

This article offers clear, expert-agreed guidance for doctors about when people with Parkinson’s disease should be referred for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery—a procedure that can significantly reduce troublesome movement symptoms and improve quality of life when medications are no longer enough. The international panel of specialists emphasizes that DBS should be considered earlier rather than as a last resort, alongside ongoing medication adjustments, and that doctors should educate patients and caregivers to correct misconceptions and reduce fear of brain surgery. The recommendations outline practical criteria for identifying appropriate candidates, encourage referrals at the right time, and aim to improve access to this beneficial treatment for suitable patients.

Deep brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery effectively alleviates troublesome motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. It also improves some non-motor symptoms and quality of life. DBS should thus be considered when these sympt...

02/05/2026

Do you have someone in your life with Parkinson’s disease? Whether you are a spouse, sibling, or friend, PDX Care Partners Group is here to support you so you can support them. Whether you are a spouse, sibling, or friend, join the PDX Care Partners Group on the 4th Monday of each month, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM, Steeplejack Brewing Company (South Hall), 2400 NE Broadway, Portland, Oregon.

Opportunity just for care partners to meet, chat, and hang out with others who support people living with Parkinson's in Portland, Oregon.

02/04/2026

Join YOPDX, a fun social get-together for YOPDers (Young Onset Parkinson's Disease) who face the unique challenge of managing Parkinson's while also managing adult life like work, raising kids, caring for parents, and dating or relationships. We meet the second Monday of every month, 6:30pm - 8:30pm PT at Steeplejack Brewing Company.

Join us for YOPDX to meet, chat, and hang out with others in the Young Onset Parkinson's Disease community in the Portland Metro area.

02/03/2026

Our Paper of the Month for February is "Education Research: Entrustable Professional Activities for General Neurology Advanced Practice Providers" by Shannon Anderson

This study brought together neurologists and advanced practice providers (APPs) to agree on the key clinical tasks that new general neurology APPs should be trusted to do independently after training. Using a structured survey method, they identified a set of “Entrustable Professional Activities” (EPAs), such as taking patient histories, performing exams, interpreting tests, and recognizing urgent problems. These EPAs provide clear guidance for training programs and help ensure new APPs have the essential skills to practice safely in general neurology.

Background and ObjectivesA dedicated didactic framework, assessment strategy, and consensus expectations for advanced practice providers (APPs) entering general neurology practice for the first time have not been described. We aimed to define entrustable ...

12/17/2025

Register for a webinar on stress and Parkinson's disease presented by the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Hear a panel of experts share strategies on responding to stress and limiting its harmful effects.

While some stress is a normal part of life, too much stress for too long can impact physical and emotional health. Stress can even worsen Parkinson’s symptoms and make medication less effective. Join this month’s Third Thursdays Webinar to hear our panel of experts share strategies on responding...

12/02/2025

We’re proud to share that OHSU’s Dr. Lee Neilson and Dr. Gregory Scott helped lead a major new study that’s making national headlines! The research, which analyzed more than 11 million U.S. veteran medical records, found that untreated sleep apnea nearly doubles the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease — but treatment with CPAP significantly lowers that risk.

This work sheds new light on how nighttime drops in oxygen may affect long-term brain health and highlights the importance of diagnosing and treating sleep apnea early.

Big outlets like the NYT and WSJ have covered this study, but since those links are paywalled, here’s a free version you can access anytime:

A large analysis of more than 11 million medical records found that people with untreated obstructive sleep apnea face a substantially higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease over time.

12/01/2025

Want to get a head start on your Season of Giving? Join the OHSU community and make a difference this Giving Tuesday — a global celebration of generosity! Your support for OHSU and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital improves and saves lives every day. Your gift fuels life-saving programs, new treatments and cures, and education for tomorrow’s health leaders. Together, our community can make a lasting impact. Click on the link below to donate today!

10/30/2025

Researchers at OHSU have become the first in the U.S. to perform a fully incisionless brain surgery using high-frequency focused ultrasound to treat advanced Parkinson’s disease!

Focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor now FDA-approved as a primary treatment for Parkinson’s; benefits OHSU patients in Oregon, across the country.