OHSU Parkinson Center

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...

06/13/2026

Our very own Dr. Lauren Talman received the award for Professionalism from OHSU's Professional Board. This is a high honor and are beyond excited and proud for Dr. Talman

06/13/2026

This week was filled with many exciting moments for our department and division. We are officially opening our Neuroscience Intermediate Care unit later this month. This is a huge step towards better continuity of care for our patients.

06/02/2026

Our very own Shannon Anderson, MPAS, PA-C was on the Neuropraxis: The Neurology Educator's Podcast! You can list to the podcast here!

What does it take to learn neurology on the job, and how can we make this process smoother? A growing number of advanced practice providers (APPs) are joining the neurology workforce, yet few have neurology specific training in their educatio...

06/01/2026

We are highlighting "In People With Subacute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Earlier Physical Therapy Improved Symptoms at a Faster Rate Than Later Physical Therapy: Randomized Controlled Trial" by Laurie King as our Paper of the Month this June.

This randomized controlled trial examined whether starting physical therapy earlier versus later after a subacute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI, or concussion) affected recovery. Researchers found that participants who began physical therapy sooner experienced a faster reduction in concussion-related symptoms compared with those whose therapy was delayed. The intervention targeted common post-concussion problems such as dizziness, balance impairments, and movement dysfunction, and both groups ultimately improved, but the early-treatment group recovered at a quicker rate. The findings suggest that, rather than waiting for symptoms to resolve on their own, initiating individualized physical therapy during the subacute phase of mTBI may accelerate symptom improvement and functional recovery, supporting a more proactive rehabilitation approach for people with persistent post-concussion symptoms.

Please click on the link below to learn more about it!

AbstractImportance. There is unclear evidence on when to initiate physical therapy after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in a non-athlete, adult populat

05/04/2026

The first video of our Essential Tools series is available in our patient video library! Our very own Dr. Jeff Kraakevik has put together a talk on Parkinson's 101! Review the videos here under the "Essential Tools" category -

Watch presentations on a wide variety of Parkinson’s disease topics. OHSU Parkinson Center experts offer insights on relationships, memory, sleep, and mobility

05/04/2026

Our Paper of the Month for May is: Genome-wide analysis reveals genes mediating resistance to paraquat neurodegeneration in Drosophila by Ian Martin.

This study examines how genetic differences influence susceptibility to Parkinson’s disease following exposure to the pesticide Paraquat. Using a fruit fly model that mimics delayed-onset dopaminergic neuron loss, the researchers analyzed nearly 200 genetically distinct strains and found that genetic background strongly affects vulnerability to toxin-induced neurodegeneration. Their genome-wide analysis identified two genes, luna and CG32264, that appear to protect against neuronal damage: reduced expression increased neuron loss, while overexpression prevented it. Notably, the mammalian equivalent of CG32264 (Phactr2) has been previously linked to human Parkinson’s risk, suggesting these findings may translate to humans and highlighting the importance of gene–environment interactions in pesticide-related neurodegeneration.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is thought to develop through a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Epidemiological studies have linked exposure to certain pesticides such as paraquat with elevated PD risk, although how a person's genetic makeup influences disease risk upon exposure rem...

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.