Site Overview and Experience

Our goal at Summit Research Network is to expand scientific knowledge while maintaining the highest quality patient care.

Summit Research Network is an independent medical research organization located in the greater Portland, Oregon area. Since 1976, we remain dedicated to improving medical treatment by conducting high quality scientific research and patient care. We work in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies to develop better future treatments and better health for individuals with medical and mental health conditions. Our expanded services include the Memory Health Center within Summit Research Network to focus on dementia and other age-related memory conditions.

Our staff includes physicians; psychologists, nurse practitioners, certified clinical research coordinators, medical assistants, and support personnel.  

What kind of research is done at Summit?

We perform research studies, also known as clinical trials, of approved and investigational medications. Some of these studies are undertaken to enhance our understanding of currently available medications (for example; determining optimal dose schedules). We also conduct research on medications that are not available to the general public except in research studies, and look at questions of expanded usage (for example; determining whether an established medical treatment for depression is also effective in treating anxiety). 

All medications available by prescription in the U.S. must go through this highly regulated, scientific process to evaluate whether an investigational medication can be approved and made available to all.   

Many of our studies involve comparisons between an investigational study medication, a commonly prescribed medication, and a placebo (inactive substance). Placebo groups are included in some of our studies because the status of patients in the placebo group provides a comparison base for evaluating the effectiveness of active medications. In addition, a surprising number of people improve when treated with placebos.

Our patients receive research-related care, evaluations, and supervision by our professional and experienced staff. A post-study treatment program may also be available to patients once their study participation has been completed. All of these services are provided at no cost to the patient and health insurance is not required for any study required visits or procedures. In addition, many of our clinical trials provide study participants with a stipend or compensation for time and travel.

Areas of study:

Areas of Study:

• ADHD (adult and pediatric)
• Anxiety disorders (GAD, panic, OCD, social phobia)
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Contraception
• Dementia (Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy Bodies, vascular or mixed dementia, mild cognitive impairment, normal aging)
• Depressive disorders (adult, geriatric, treatment resistant, augmentation therapies, dysthymia, recurrent, seasonal affective disorder, primary or co-occurring with other psychiatric conditions)
• Diabetes type II
• Dysmetabolic syndrome
• Healthy volunteers
• Hyperlipidemia
• Hypertension
• PTSD
• Insomnia (primary or co-occurring with other psychiatric conditions/disorders)
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis (treatment/prevention)
• Pain (fibromyalgia, low back pain, migraine)
• PMS / PMDD
• Sexual dysfunction (HSDD, male or female sexual dysfunction)
• Smoking cessation
• Substance related disorders (alcohol abuse/dependence including co-morbid with other psychiatric disorders, heroine/opioid abuse/dependence , marijuana abuse/ dependence)
• Vaccine studies

Equipment

• Private offices, multiple exam rooms
• Phlebotomy draw/processing capabilities including centrifuges, refrigerators and -20° and -80° freezer.
• Medical equipment includes portable 12-lead ECG machines, scales, mercury sphygmomanometers.
• Secured drug storage room
• Laminar flow hood
• Access to dry ice
• Infusion rooms
• Conveniently located onsite cafeteria and coffee counter for lengthy patient (and CRA) visits

Staff Bios:

PRESIDENT-OWNER

Jim started with Summit Research Network (previously Pacific Northwest Clinical Research Center) in December, 1984. He helped navigate Summit’s growth over the years and helped open sites in multiple locations. He has primary responsibility for business development and the overall management of the business. In his spare time, Jim plays tennis, lifts weights and spends time with his family.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Dr. Losk is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist who has maintained a clinical and research practice with Summit Research Network in Portland, OR since 1990. He has been a principal investigator on over 60 clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and has done research on all of the current FDA-approved drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. He has been a sub-investigator in over 125 clinical trials evaluating treatments of other central nervous system disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, migraine, fibromyalgia, etc.). Dr. Losk is active in the Alzheimer’s community providing talks and presentations to caregivers and other professionals.

Dr. Losk has extensive clinical and research experience in all aspects of cognitive disorders and because of his background, experience and contacts in the pharmaceutical industry he has access to all of the latest research studies in Alzheimer’s disease.

When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, home and yard projects, the guitar, and his dogs..

James Bergthold, MD has been with Summit Research since 2001. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1986 from Biola University and a medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1992. Following his residency in Internal Medicine from Oregon Health Sciences University in 1995, he was a partner at HealthFirst Medical Group and later at Providence Medical Group. Dr. Bergthold’s special interests include geriatric medicine, cardiology and diabetes. He has been an investigator in well over 100 clinical trials. He has been a Principal Investigator in studies involving hypertension, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, obesity, Alzheimer’s dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, insomnia, and migraine headaches.

MaryAnn Conrad, MD, graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1987, and a medical degree in 1991. She is board certified in internal medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Hawaii in 1995. Before joining Summit Research Network in 2002, Dr. Conrad practiced as a primary care physician for Providence Medical Group and Kaiser Permanente. At Summit she enjoys focusing on clinical research, mental health and women’s health. When not taking care of patients at Summit, Dr. Conrad enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, watching Blazer games, hiking, going to the Oregon coast, and photography.

Philip Bolton, MD, received a medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1995 along with The Dr. William J. Thompson ‘08 Annual Prize in Psychiatry and The Dr. Richard J. Bernier Award in Psychiatry. In 1999, he graduated from the Psychiatry Residency Training Program at Oregon Health Sciences University where he was a Chief Resident in Psychiatry. Since 2004 he has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Bolton has provided inpatient psychiatric treatment at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and outpatient psychiatric treatment in a variety of settings. Since 2014 he has been an investigator at Summit Research Network where he has participated in over 50 research studies. Dr. Bolton has been the Principal Investigator for studies of major depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and other mental health conditions. Dr. Bolton has also studied complementary medicine including acupuncture and mind-body medicine techniques. He enjoys spending free time with his family hiking and exploring Oregon.