Clinical Research

As the state's only health and research university, OHSU brings together education, research, patient care and community service. While each component has its own individual goals and mission, all of them are bound together by a common vision - to improve the well-being of Oregonians.

New discoveries and treatments at OHSU are creating hope for millions of people who cope with neurological problems that affect how they interact with the world. Detailed below you will find how unique clinical research at OHSU is contributing to enhance, improve and advance neurosurgery outcomes for patients.

Department Clinical Research

Clinical research in the Department of Neurological Surgery is headed by Shirley McCartney, Ph.D., with the support of the clinical research team.

Dr. McCartney provides guidance and leadership with regards departmental clinical research development including: institutional review board (IRB) protocol design; budgeting; clinical trial site recruitment/implementation and monitoring; as well as data interpretation and reporting. 

Clinical research studies in neurological surgery include:

  • Glioblastoma studies
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Pituitary adenoma outcomes   
  • Treatment trials for Acromegaly and Cushing's disease
  • Trigeminal neuralgia diagnostic study 
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation for the treatment of pain

Neurological surgery clinical trials participation

We are committed to finding new ways to prevent and treat people with neurological disease.

Active OHSU clinical trials can be found at the OHSU Study Participation web site.

Or for information, contact:
Neurological Surgery-Clinical Trials Coordinator
(503) 494-9546

Oregon Health & Science University requires all investigators that are conducting human subjects research to respect and protect the rights and welfare of participants recruited for, and/or participating in, research under the supervision of OHSU. As part of this commitment, Responsible Conduct of Research education is required of all investigators, research staff, and other relevant personnel.

All clinical research undertaken at OHSU is subject to approval by the institutional review board (IRB).
The institutional review board is a group that has been formally designated to approve, monitor, and review biomedical and behavioral research involving humans with the aim of protecting the rights and welfare of the subjects. The IRB approves, requires modifications to, or disapproves clinical research. The IRB performs critical oversight functions for research conducted on human subjects that are scientific, ethical, and regulatory.

OHSU Research Integrity Office

For more information about clinical trials and a nationwide database of clinical trials, please go to the U.S. National Institutes of Health clinical trials website.

Pipettes used in research
Pipettes used in research