Oregon Health & Science University's Brain Institute is among the top institutions in the nation for NIH-funded neuroscience research projects.
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OHSU Brain Institute is the only place in Oregon where the brightest minds in medicine and science are leaders in brain care, with national recognition for breakthroughs in treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. From prevention to intervention, we combine the highest quality brain care with groundbreaking brain research and the latest discoveries. OHSU is Oregon’s only public academic health center. We are a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. We are an institution of higher learning with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and public health. We are a national research hub with thousands of scientists working hard to develop new disease treatments and therapies. We are also one of Portland’s largest employers. As a public health organization, we provide services to the most vulnerable Oregonians and strive to improve health in communities across the state through our outreach efforts. OHSU encourages interaction, discussion, commentary, questions and even criticism but ask that you keep your comments and posts relevant and respectful. OHSU does reserve the right to moderate your comments on its social media platforms as necessary to prevent medical, personal and confidential information from being posted. In addition, OHSU will remove all spam, personal attacks, profanity, racism, excessive posting, as well as any off-topic commentary, advertisements about good or services or announcements about news or events not related to OHSU and may ban anyone who violates these guidelines. Please do not use social media platforms to disclose, share, talk about, send or request sensitive or personal information, especially private health information. OHSU cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any messages transmitted over the internet. By interacting with this page, you assume all risks related to sharing your information. Please also note that OHSU social media is only intended for use within the United States. Although OHSU is an academic medical center, we cannot provide medical advice for your personal health situation. If you have a medical issue that requires advice or treatment, we encourage you to contact your primary care provider. For more information, please read our disclaimer: https://www.ohsu.edu/about/social-media-directory
11/26/2025
"I enjoy cooking, walking and being outdoors. I thank God every day for another chance to live without tremors and to smile again."
Carolina Palacios de Ramirez, a Parkinson's patient from Arkansas, has regained the ability to smile after she underwent a novel type of brain surgery at OHSU, where no incision was required.
The procedure marked the first use of high-frequency focused ultrasound in the U.S. outside of clinical trials.
A 76-year-old woman regained her smile after a pioneering ultrasound brain surgery.
11/25/2025
Can untreated obstructive sleep apnea increase your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease?
In a new study, OHSU's Drs. Lee Neilson and Gregory Scott reviewed millions of electronic health records and found untreated obstructive sleep apnea raises the risk of developing Parkinson’s over the long term.
However, people can significantly reduce the risk by improving the quality of their sleep by using continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP.
Research examining millions of electronic health records strongly suggests value of treating obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP.
11/21/2025
New research suggests that the circadian system in people with obstructive sleep apnea may disrupt blood vessel function overnight, which may help explain the higher risk of nighttime heart attacks in people with sleep apnea.
The research, led by Dr. Saurabh Thosar, a sleep scientist and associate professor in the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at OHSU, suggests the importance of managing vascular risk in people with obstructive sleep apnea.
Unlike general population, people with apnea more commonly have heart attacks in their sleep; internal body clock provides clues.
11/20/2025
Neurotree, a home-brewed website with a simple interface to visualize and navigate the academic genealogy, was created by OHSU's Stephen David, Professor of otolaryngology at the Oregon Hearing Research Center.
By mapping connections among researchers, Neurotree makes it possible to see how the field has evolved and how shifts in lab size, publication rates and training, among other factors, shape its direction.
By mapping connections among researchers, Neurotree makes it possible to see how the field has evolved and what factors shape its direction.
11/19/2025
November is , dedicated to recognizing and supporting the millions of family caregivers across the United States.
In the STELLA Studies at the Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, we offer support options for families caring for those with dementia. Each option is a research study that tests ways to help families manage the challenges that come with dementia caregiving.
The STELLA study, one of the research initiatives at the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology, uses telehealth to help dementia caregivers.
11/17/2025
Researchers have earned a $4 million award to determine whether bright-light therapy improves brain function and potentially hinders neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases for people with traumatic brain injuries.
“Sleep plays a key role in each of these aspects of brain health, and light therapy can enhance sleep,” says Dr. Miranda Lim:
$4 million U.S. Department of Defense award will focus on improving outcomes for people with traumatic brain injury.
11/12/2025
International Survivors of Su***de Loss Day is an event in which survivors of su***de loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience.
New OHSU research shows temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and trigeminal neuralgia (TN) can be reliably differentiated using a standardized questionnaire and physical examination with approximately 90 percent accuracy.
oach, although dental correction or even surgery may be necessary in rare cases where the origin of the pain appears to be related to oral or temporomandibular joint pathology. By contrast, TN is largely treated with anticonvulsant medications, trigeminal nerve surgery, or trigeminal ablative proced...
10/30/2025
“Don’t lose hope... If you’re scared, like I was, trust the doctors at OHSU. This treatment gave me my smile back and changed my life.”
Carolina Palacios de Ramirez from Springdale, Arkansas became the first patient in the U.S. to be treated for advanced Parkinson's disease using high-frequency focused ultrasound, or HIFU by Dr. Dan Cleary at OHSU.
Now FDA-approved to treat Parkinson's, HIFU will serve a large, unmet need among patients who aren’t candidates for the standard surgical treatment involving the placement of a programmable deep brain stimulator.
Focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor now FDA-approved as a primary treatment for Parkinson's; benefits OHSU patients in Oregon, across the country.
10/24/2025
Smiles, stories, and so much gratitude at this year’s Appreciation Brunch.
We’re thankful for our Black and African American research participants who continue to shape the future of brain health research at OHSU.
Learn how you can get involved: bit.ly/laytontrials.
10/21/2025
We loved seeing so many familiar faces at the Mama Joe Project screening! The event highlighted powerful community voices advocating for dementia awareness and support.
Research at the OHSU Layton Aging & Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is helping scientists discover new ways to prevent, detect, and treat memory loss and dementia.
Join us: bit.ly/laytontrials.
10/10/2025
Join the Alzheimer's Association - Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter, AARP Oregon, Oregon Care Partners and OHSU at the Bear Hotel in Grants Pass for a free, half-day event on brain health, aging and Alzheimer’s science. It’s never too early or too late to take charge of your brain health.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM PDT
Featured presentations include: “The Latest in Alzheimer’s Science” and “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body.”
Guests are invited to join us for a community listening session and discussion about gaps in local services, how we can expand resources, and opportunities to volunteer and get involved. No background in science is necessary. Lunch will be provided.
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The OHSU Brain Institute has over 400 doctors and researchers treating people with diseases of the brain, teaching tomorrow’s doctors and searching for cures. The Institute exists to develop and sustain collaborations between neuroscientists and clinicians in Oregon and beyond.
This integrative work is guided by our senior leadership group:
Dennis Bourdette, M.D.
Chair, Department of Neurology
Director, Multiple Sclerosis and Nueroimmunology Center
Marc Freeman, Ph.D.
Director, Vollum Institute
George Keepers, M.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry
Bita Moghaddam, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience
Nathan Selden, M.D., Ph.D.
Campagna Professor and Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery
Excellence in Care
OHSU is a national leader in neuroscience clinical care. Some of our achievements include:
OHSU is ranked as the Best Hospital in Oregon accordingly to US News and World Report.
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association awarded OHSU the Gold Plus quality acheivement award.
The OHSU Stroke Program was first Comprehensive Stroke Center in the Pacific Northwest.
Our Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Program is nationally recognized as a leader in treatment, research and education.
Supporter and Friends
Your involvement at the OHSU Brain Institute is vital. Our community's effort and energy gives people hope and helps OHSU researchers closer to finding cures. There are many ways you can get involved:
Join the Brain Research Awareness and Information Network (BRAINet) our volunteer outreach organization.
Stay informed about the OHSU Brain Institute by signing up for one of our newsletters.
Make a gift. We could not achieve what we do without private support. Your generosity makes and extraordinary difference.
Attend an event.
Learn more on how the Brain Institute brings information and education to your community.
