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
12/30/2025
A new systematic evidence review finds that cannabis products that carry relatively high levels of THC may provide short-term improvements in pain and function.
However, the review also found THC-based products led to an increased risk of common adverse symptoms like dizziness, sedation and nausea.
Research review also finds products higher in CBD than THC have almost no benefit in reducing pain.
12/27/2025
OHSU researchers warn that exposure to air pollution may have serious implications for a child’s developing brain.
In a recent study, OHSU’s Developmental Brain Imaging Lab found that air pollution is associated with structural changes in the adolescent brain, specifically in the frontal and temporal regions — the areas responsible for executive function, language, mood regulation and socioemotional processing.
Researchers warn these structural changes could impact children's health, well-being; environmental, public health policy will be critical to protecting brain health, they say.
12/23/2025
“Patients with brain cancer are often left feeling frustrated trying to understand their tumor’s progression and what the right treatment is."
"Now with a new path forward, we hope patients are provided some hope and comfort in this extremely difficult moment." - Dr. Ramon Barajas, Jr., professor of diagnostic radiology in the OHSU School of Medicine.
Researchers with OHSU’s Neuro-Oncology Blood-Brain Barrier Program supported several clinical trials investigating a novel use of a drug for brain cancer imaging.
OHSU lab started exploring new use of the drug 30 years ago; now, it may improve techniques to measure, monitor aggressive brain tumors.
12/19/2025
More than 800 people in Oregon have joined ACTNOW! Subscribe to stay informed about new Alzheimer’s and brain health studies enrolling this winter.
According to new research by OHSU and the VA Portland Health Care System, the over-the-counter supplement lipoic acid may have a small beneficial effect in slowing the loss of gray matter in the brains of people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.
"The slowing of brain atrophy that we saw in MRI images suggests that we may yet be on the right track, especially if we can find a better way to deliver the beneficial effects of an antioxidant like lipoic acid," said Dr. Rebecca Spain, lead author on the study.
OHSU-led randomized controlled trial examines benefits of over-the-counter antioxidant.
12/15/2025
OHSU researchers have identified a type of enzyme with a complicated name — cell migration inducing and hyaluronan-binding protein, or CEMIP — is associated with various neurodegenerative disorders and conditions.
Dr. Larry Sherman, professor at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center, led research identifying the enzyme CEMIP as a key player in myelin breakdown linked to conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.
OHSU research finds a specific enzyme is involved in myelin breakdown that causes conditions such as MS, stroke, Alzheimer's.
12/06/2025
OHSU's Dr. Allison Lindauer joins the Remember Me Podcast to tackle the challenges of navigating behavioral changes caused by Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD).
A new study by OHSU found that sleep apnea may be linked to increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Those with the sleep condition were more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. But one treatment was found to help.
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.
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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.
