The Neurological Sciences Institute (NSI) began as the Laboratory of Neurophysiology at the Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center in Portland, Oregon in 1959. Robert S. Dow, M.D., Ph.D., the first board certified neurologist in the state of Oregon, was the laboratory's founder, bringing together a team of scientists interested in the function of the cerebellum. The NSI was formally established in 1975 and expanded to include scientists interested in many areas of neuroscience. In 1998, because it represented a bridge between basic and clinical neuroscience, the NSI was invited to join OHSU. The institute moved to a laboratory facility on the OHSU West Campus in Hillsboro, Oregon in 2000. Now called the Brain Institute, the department currently (2014) resides on the main OHSU campus on Marquam Hill in Portland, Oregon.
The NSI focuses on the need to bring high quality, interdisciplinary basic and applied scientific research to a variety of clinically relevant problems of the brain and sensory systems. The department has an outstanding track record of ground-breaking research and federal funding. Their mission is to advance knowledge of the brain and neurological disorders, and to translate that knowledge into new approaches for diagnoses, treatments, cures and prevention. Therefore, NSI investigators are dedicated, not only to gaining new knowledge about our brains and how they shape who we are, but also translating that knowledge into advancements of the clinical management of neurological disorders- one of the most widespread and devastating problems faced by our society today.
There are no restrictions on access. The collection is open to the public.
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.
The records consist of administrative materials created by the Neurological Sciences Institute, including Planning Committee, Science Committee, and Research Task Force records; meeting materials; annual reports; 2 NSI presentation videos; and staff birthday celebration materials.
A VHS player is required for viewing the 2 videotapes in box 3. A cd-rom disk drive is required for viewing materials on the 3 CDs in box 3.
See the OHSU Digital Commons for images of the OHSU Neurological Sciences Institute building exterior and interior as well as photographs of NSI staff.
Robert Stone Dow Papers, Accession no. 2008-003
See the Biographical Files for more information about the life and work of former University of Oregon Medical School student and NSI founder, Robert Stone Dow, M.D., Ph.D.
[Collection title], Collection Number [####-###], Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives.
The following institutions contain archival collections related to neuroscience.
Archives of the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC), Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology
http://woodlibrarymuseum.org/archives/finding.php?id=156
American Neurological Association. Records, University of Chicago Library
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/scrc/findingaids/view.php?eadid=ICU.SPCL.CRMS56
Interim director of the Neurological Sciences Institute, Jeri S. Janowsky, transferred the materials from NSI to the archives. Materials were created by NSI staff. Archivist Karen Peterson accessioned the materials on February 28, 2008.