OHSU’s Multiple Sclerosis Center joins an initiative by Helius Medical Technologies in an open-label observational trial to evaluate a portable neuromodulation stimulator for treatment of MS.

OHSU researchers pinpoint adenosine as a counterbalance to dopamine in the brain. Haining Zhong, Ph.D., says, “There are two neuronal circuits: one that helps promotes action and the other that inhibits action. Dopamine promotes the first circuit to enable movement, and adenosine is the ‘brake’ that promotes the second circuit and brings balance to the system.”

In response to a New England Journal of Medicine study questioning the efficacy of colonoscopies in preventing colon cancer, David Lieberman, M.D., says it’s too early to draw conclusions from the study results. He says: “Only 42% percent of the patients in the ‘invited’ group got the screening, and when you look at just those who got it done, the results were more in line with what we expected. Bottom line, screening can be effective only if it is done.”

Research by Blair Peters, M.D., found the human clitoris has more than 10,000 nerve fibers. Peters says: “The fact that it took until 2022 for someone to do this work speaks to how little attention the clitoris has received.”

The Oregonian cites OHSU’s forecast that an expected wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections this fall won’t lead to a major surge in hospitalizations.

KGW interviews the mother of a critically ill infant with RSV at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Dawn Nolt, M.D., M.P.H., warns of a particularly severe respiratory season as communities face rising numbers of COVID-19, flu and RSV simultaneously. Nolt urges community members to stay up to date on vaccinations and COVID boosters.

Richie Kohli, B.D.S, M.S., and Karan Replogle, D.D.S., M.S., describe the live video pain management and substance use disorder training they organize for dental professionals. Kohli says: “It’s important we talk to patients about what are other alternatives before we prescribe opioids, so patients can make a good, informed decision.”

The Oregonian highlights a group of McDaniel High School students volunteering as emergency responders, including Anthony Vo, who is interning at OHSU and hopes to become a trauma surgeon.

In an OPB story about rising cases of RSV among infants and toddlers, Eliza Hayes Bakken, M.D., says, “Babies can literally look like they are kind of drowning in snot. Suctioning them so they can get some breaths through their nose and they can feel a little bit better is one of our major interventions.”