Clinical trials
Brain clinical trials
Below are recruiting brain clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 2,015 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT03678194Recruiting
Smartphone app tool for doctors managing daily depression
This trial tests a smartphone app that helps doctors manage depression in everyday life. It may help improve how care is tracked and adjusted soon after starting antidepressant treatment.
BordeauxAges 18–65 - NCT03649880RecruitingPhase 2
Imaging brain tumors with FMISO in adults
This trial tests whether a new imaging agent called FMISO can help see areas of low oxygen in brain tumors. It may help doctors better target treatment for gliomas.
Portland, OregonAges 18 years+ - NCT03694626Recruiting
Test a light-response study to measure and track light sensitivity
This study aims to objectively measure how your pupils respond to light and how your eye muscles react using recording tests. It may help confirm the cause of light sensitivity (especially after a brain injury) and better track how it responds to care.
Iowa City, IowaAges 18–80 - NCT03526822Recruiting
Study of new glioblastoma using MRI scans and lab markers
This study follows people newly diagnosed with glioblastoma to see how certain lab signals (MMP2 and MMP9) match up with MRI scan features. It may help doctors better understand the disease and how it appears on imaging, but it’s mainly observational.
MarseilleAges 18 years+ - NCT03446456RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Vasopressin and pain perception study
This trial tests whether vasopressin, a nasal spray, changes how your brain processes pain. You will receive either the spray or a placebo and have an MRI scan to see brain activity.
Baltimore, MarylandAges 18–65 - NCT03510208RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Uses a dye drug during brain or nerve tumor surgery
This trial tests whether a medicine with a fluorescent dye (panitumumab-IRDye800) helps doctors better see certain tumors during surgery. It may help safer, more complete tumor removal for people with glioblastoma or vestibular schwannoma.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03340129RecruitingPhase 2
Nivolumab plus focused brain radiation for melanoma spread
This trial studies whether giving the immunotherapy drug nivolumab together with targeted brain radiation (not whole-brain radiation) helps people with melanoma that has spread to the brain. It aims to improve brain control while keeping side effects manageable.
Sydney, New South WalesAges 18–120 - NCT03371641Recruiting
Study of alcohol exposure effects in unborn babies
This study looks at unborn babies exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and compares them with babies not exposed. Researchers test a pregnancy blood marker to see whether it may relate to early brain changes in the baby.
RouenAges 18 years+ - NCT03324360RecruitingPhase 1
MRI scan test in people with brain metastases after SRS
This early-phase study tests a special MRI scan using a safe tracer to see how brain metastases and brain metabolism change after SRS (a focused radiation treatment). It may help researchers find better ways to monitor treatment response in the brain.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT03414242Enrolling by invitation
Neck and brain tests after a sports head or neck injury
This study looks at how sports-related injuries may affect thinking and how well your neck moves and feels strong. You may be eligible if you’re an athlete and can do simple neck movement and strength checks.
Scottsdale, ArizonaAges 12–30 - NCT02649985RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
PET brain scan study for several brain and mood conditions
This early-phase study uses PET and MRI brain scans to better understand brain changes in multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurological or mood conditions. The goal is to test whether these scans can show disease-related differences and guide future treatments.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–85 - NCT03288220Recruiting
Brain stimulation trial to improve arm movement
This trial studies whether a specific kind of non-painful brain stimulation (TMS) can improve arm and hand movement. It tests this in healthy volunteers and in people recovering from stroke.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–120 - NCT03233646Recruiting
Retina scans in memory and nerve disorders
This study uses pictures of the back of your eye (retinal imaging) to look for differences in people with neurodegenerative diseases and compares them with people without these conditions. It may help researchers understand eye changes that could connect to brain or nerve health.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT03122197RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Letrozole for recurrent high-grade brain tumors
This early-phase study tests letrozole, a hormone-blocking medicine, in adults with recurrent high-grade gliomas. The goal is to see if it can help control the tumor and is safe enough to study further.
Cincinnati, OhioAges 18 years+ - NCT03153683Recruiting
Brain and blood clot registry for adults having brain blood tests
This study is a registry, meaning it collects information from people having surgery or procedures for problems involving blood vessels in the brain. It may help researchers better understand brain blood conditions and clots by tracking patterns over time.
Lexington, KentuckyAges 18 years+ - NCT03153670Recruiting
Brain scan study for people with deep brain stimulators
This study uses a 3‑tesla MRI (a type of detailed brain scan) in people who have deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes. The goal is to improve understanding of how the brain works; the scan is not meant to provide direct treatment benefit.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–85 - NCT03270059RecruitingPhase 2
MRI with special contrast to study brain and other CNS problems
This trial tests whether two special MRI contrast medicines—gadolinium and ferumoxytol—can better diagnose problems in the brain or central nervous system. It may help doctors identify what’s causing symptoms or abnormal brain findings.
Portland, OregonAges 10 years+ - NCT03255408RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Sleep study testing breathing and blood flow in healthy adults
This study looks at how your brain blood flow and breathing change during sleep under normal oxygen and reduced oxygen. It will only include healthy adults so researchers can learn what “intermittent hypoxia” does to the body in people without medical problems.
Calgary, AlbertaAges 18–45 - NCT02795052Recruiting
Stem cell treatment trial for nerve injury
This study tests whether bone-marrow stem cells can improve nerve function in people with nerve damage that usually doesn’t recover with current care. It also checks whether the treatment is safe and whether people can be followed over time with repeated nerve exams.
Westport, ConnecticutAges 18 years+ - NCT02686125Recruiting
Study of the Vercise brain stimulator for dystonia
This study looks at how well a specific implanted brain stimulator (the Vercise system) works for people with dystonia. It may help confirm whether the device improves symptoms and is safe for eligible patients.
GhentAges 7 years+ - NCT03021031Enrolling by invitation
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s patients
This trial studies a type of brain stimulation to help reduce symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. You may be able to join if you have Parkinson’s and are being considered for this treatment.
Minneapolis, MinnesotaAges 21 years+ - NCT02991625Enrolling by invitation
Brain scan study to find markers for chronic back pain
This study uses brain imaging (MRI scans) to look for “biomarkers” (measurable signs) that may relate to chronic low back pain. It compares people with long-lasting back pain to healthy volunteers to understand what brain patterns are linked to pain.
Halifax, Nova ScotiaAges 18–75 - NCT02994433RecruitingPhase 1
Testing nitrous oxide for depression brain circuit activity
This early study tests whether nitrous oxide, aimed at specific brain circuits, can change depression-related brain activity. It is mainly for adults with major depression or treatment-resistant depression, and includes brain imaging during the study.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18–65 - NCT02811653Recruiting
Brain movement and memory study in early dementia
This study looks at how “slower movement” and brain changes relate to memory and thinking problems in people with early dementia (and some related conditions). It may help researchers understand what brain differences go with these symptoms, using tests and an MRI scan.
AmiensAges 40–85
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for brain?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 2,015 recruiting brain studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a brain trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a brain trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.