OHSU Parkinson Center

08/25/2026

Walking Forward Together 💗
This weekend, Aug. 28–29, cheer on Rich Denman and Jerry Jones as they take on the Portland to Coast relay with the Movers & Shakers team!

These brothers-in-law jokingly call themselves a “package deal.” They also share something neither expected: a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, six years apart.

Along the way, both have found strength in their OHSU care teams, research, community and, most importantly, in each other.

Now in their third year with Movers & Shakers, Rich and Jerry are using the Portland to Coast relay to raise awareness, build connections and remind others living with Parkinson’s that a diagnosis does not mean giving up the activities that matter most.

“It’s the camaraderie, the awareness and the conversations,” Jerry said.

Their message is simple: keep moving, stay connected and don’t go it alone.

Whether they’re hiking a mountain trail, tackling a relay route or supporting one another through the challenges of Parkinson’s, Rich and Jerry show us what’s possible when we walk together. 💗

Go Rich, Jerry and the entire Movers & Shakers team! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️💪

08/24/2026

The Great Salt Lick Returns! 🐄🎨

Have you ever wanted to purchase an abstract art piece sculpted by animals? You’ll have the chance on September 26th in Baker City, OR!

For years, The Great Salt Lick auction has raised money to benefit Parkinson’s disease research at OHSU by offering distinctive salt lick sculptures for auction, created by livestock and wildlife in the mountains and grasslands of Eastern Oregon. Don’t miss this special opportunity to connect with others in the Parkinson's community, marvel at these fascinating artworks, and help us advance the fight against Parkinson’s disease!

Click the link below for more information about this one-of-a-kind event!

08/20/2026

🧠 Myths & Misconceptions ZOOM discussion 8/27 at 12pm

What do you really know about Parkinson’s? There are many common assumptions about the condition—some accurate, some outdated, and some simply not true.

Join Dr. Joseph Quinn and the PMDA Alliance for a Zoom conversation as we explore some of the most common myths and misconceptions about Parkinson’s, separate fact from fiction, and talk about what living with Parkinson’s can really look like.

Whether you have Parkinson’s, support someone who does, or simply want to learn more, you’re very welcome to join us.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://PMDAlliance.zoom.us/j/92686272793?pwd=fQX8c5HclbQ3dDKPcL8aYyVasrcIpe.1

Meeting ID: 926 8627 2793
Passcode: 544232

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

08/20/2026

What if the future of Parkinson’s treatment could be tailored to your genes? Parkinson’s disease is different for every patient, and the future of treatment is becoming increasingly personal. Join OHSU neurologist Joseph Quinn, MD for a lively discussion on how advances in genetics are paving the way for more targeted, personalized therapies in Parkinson’s disease. We’ll explore what researchers have learned so far, what therapies may be on the horizon, and how patients with Parkinson’s can contribute to these efforts. Patients with Parkinson's disease who are interested in genetic testing can enroll in a sponsored testing program at the end of the talk.

The Future is Personal: Precision Medicine in Parkinson’s Disease
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 2:00PM
Location: Mirabella Senior Living Community, 3550 S Bond Avenue, Portland, OR 97239

We look forward to seeing you there!

08/20/2026

The second video a part of our Essential Tools video series is now live! This 2 part video featuring our very own Clinical Pharmacist, Michael Shih, PharmD, BCCCP, and is titled Therapies for Motor Symptoms of Parkinsons’s Disease. You can view the video and the rest of our Essential Tools series here!

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08/20/2026

Look for the Brian Grant Foundation at the Milwaukie Farmer's Market on Sunday, August 30th. This is a great opportunity to have conversations, make connections, and raise awareness about Parkinson's disease.

For people living with Parkinson’s, and for care partners, changes in mobility, communication, fatigue, anxiety, and other challenges can sometimes make getting out into the community more difficult. Events like this can provide an important social outlet, giving those affected by Parkinson's the chance to visit and connect.

Milwaukee Farmers Market:
• Sunday, August 30, 9:30am-2pm
• SE Main St. & Harrison St., Milwaukie, OR 97222
• Note: Parking is on the surrounding streets

Since 1999, Milwaukie Farmers Market in Downtown Milwaukie, OR offers the widest selction of fresh produce and vendors. Vote #52 Best Market in the USA!

08/13/2026

You are invited to join the Brian Grant Foundation at their booth this Saturday, August 15th at Multnomah Days!

This is a wonderful opportunity to socialize, and learn more about Parkinson's Disease.

Please stop by the BGF table to say hello, pick up resources, and learn more about their efforts.

Location:
Multnomah Village Area
Portland, OR 97219

Transportation
Parking will be limited and available only in the surrounding neighborhoods. SW Capitol will be blocked off as Multnomah Days uses the street. Please plan on walking, biking, or other means of transportation to Multnomah Days. TriMet buses will be on reroute during Multnomah Days. TriMet buses 44 and 45 serve the community.

BGF Table Hours:
Sat, Aug 15, 9am - 5pm
Find us using this great interactive Google map! (Look for Booth 66, the BGF booth location)

Multnomah Days Festival & Parade is a one-day open-air, family-friendly street festival with scheduled musical acts, community parade, art fair and over 170 vendor booths as well as food & beverage services available via outdoor street dining and food carts.

07/28/2026

Options & Opportunities is our yearly event for all patients and their care partners to learn about options and opportunities when it comes to Parkinson’s Disease. The 2026 event will have a special focus on living well with Parkinson's. Hosted by the OHSU Parkinson Center, our team will also be joined by local partner organizations, vendors, and the OHSU provider team. Register here!

An event for all patients and their care partners to learn about options and opportunities when it comes to Parkinson’s Disease.

07/07/2026

The Brian Grant Foundation will will have an information and resource table at the West Linn Old Time Fair this weekend, and we would love to see you there!

Why should you join us?
• On the heels of the World Parkinson’s Congress (WPC), we learned we need to continually work to educate our community about Parkinson’s disease.
• We also want to learn what you need to prepare emotionally and physically to get out to door to be with others in the community – to socialize.

West Linn Old Time Fair
Location:
Willamette Park
1100 12th Street
West Linn, OR 97068
BGF Table Hours:
Friday, July 10: 5:00–8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 11: 11:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 12: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Please stop by the BGF table to say hello, pick up resources, and learn more about this effort. We would also love to hear your ideas about what makes community events easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable for people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.

07/02/2026

This month, we are highlighting "Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Is Impaired in De Novo Parkinson’s Disease" by Nora Gray as our paper of the month!

Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a key driver of pathology in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have emerged as an accessible way to characterize mitochondrial function in PD. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the clinical relevance of PBMC mitochondrial function as a biomarker in early PD. PBMC mitochondrial bioenergetics were measured using the Seahorse XF platform in individuals with de novo, untreated PD (n = 13) and compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 15). Correlations between mitochondrial endpoints and clinical outcomes were assessed in the PD group. Basal and ATP-linked respiration were elevated in the PD group (p = 0.002, p = 0.004), while spare capacity, or the cell’s ability to handle an unexpected energetic stress, was decreased (p = 0.045), relative to controls. Notably, the variability within basal respiratory measurements was markedly increased in the PD group compared to controls (p = 0.002). Further analyses revealed significant correlations between spare capacity and clinical motor function scores within the PD group. These findings support the potential of PBMC bioenergetics as a biomarker for early-stage PD as well as disease progression.

Please follow the link below for more details!

Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a key driver of pathology in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have emerged as an accessible way to characterize mitochondrial function in PD. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary...