Portland – October 06, 2026 -- Headlands Research - Summit Portland is marking 50 years of operation in 2026, having contributed clinical research to every FDA-approved class of Alzheimer's disease medication brought to market since 1993. The site, founded in 1976, has conducted more than 500 clinical trials in partnership with pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CROs).

Site contributed to research behind every approved Alzheimer's drug class since 1993

Headlands Summit's involvement spans acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine), the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine, and the newer anti-amyloid antibody therapies aducanumab, lecanemab and donanemab. Dr. Scott Losk, a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist who has practiced at the site since 1990, has served as principal investigator on more than 75 Alzheimer's and dementia trials and as sub-investigator on over 150 additional CNS-related trials covering depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, migraine and fibromyalgia.

Memory Health Center expands dementia-focused trial capacity

Beyond Alzheimer's research, the site has built out a dedicated Memory Health Center targeting dementia and age-related memory conditions. Current trial work also extends into vaccines, diabetes, obesity and weight loss, and other cardiometabolic disease areas, according to Dr. Andre Barkhuizen, Principal Investigator at Headlands Summit.

Headlands Research network has completed more than 5,000 trials

Headlands Summit operates as part of the Headlands Research site network, which has completed more than 5,000 clinical trials across its group of sites. Kyle Burtnett, CEO of Headlands Research, said the Summit team's track record "drives medical innovation that improves lives" and reflects what sponsors look for in a research partner.