Clinical trials · California
Cognition clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 124 recruiting cognition studies with a site in California — including Early Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT05929703Recruiting
Caring for hospitalized older adults
This study tests a new approach to caring for older adults in the hospital to prevent confusion (delirium). It involves having a family member or care partner stay with the patient during the hospital stay.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 70 years+ - NCT05894967Recruiting
Study on how perceptual learning works in different age groups
This study looks at what helps people improve how they perceive visual information (“perceptual learning”) and what processes are responsible. It includes younger and older adults and mainly needs good vision and no known eye or brain conditions affecting the retina or nerves.
Riverside, CaliforniaAges 18–85 - NCT02434393Recruiting
Studying brain changes in late-life depression and memory decline
This study looks at how thinking and memory change in people with depression later in life, using brain imaging and related assessments. Your past participation and whether your treatments are stable enough around the time of the brain scan may determine whether you can join.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 65 years+ - NCT05794295Recruiting
Sleep study in people with focal epilepsy
This trial studies how sleep patterns relate to thinking and memory in people with focal epilepsy. It may help researchers understand what sleep changes could support brain function in epilepsy.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18–40 - NCT05783817RecruitingPhase 2
MDMA-assisted therapy for OCD in adults
This trial tests whether MDMA plus cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce OCD symptoms in adults who have tried standard OCD treatments before. You may be asked to pause certain medicines and follow specific diet/medication rules around the study session.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05746767Enrolling by invitation
Spanish digital therapy coaching for depression and anxiety
This study tests a digital “cognitive behavioral therapy” program with peer support to help Spanish-speaking adults with depression or anxiety. It may help you manage symptoms using structured online tools and guided peer interaction.
Berkeley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04885322Recruiting
Brain stimulation trial for attention and thinking control
This study tests whether a non-painful brain stimulation method (tDCS) can improve attention and “thinking control,” and how brain activity changes during tasks. It also uses brain imaging (MRI), so safety and comfort conditions must be met.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18–50 - NCT05598034Recruiting
Brain stimulation with tDCS for moderate depression
This study tests whether a noninvasive brain stimulation called tDCS can improve depression symptoms. It also uses MRI scans, aiming to understand how brain changes may relate to symptom improvement.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 20–55 - NCT05617014Enrolling by invitation
ADNI4 study for early Alzheimer’s with brain imaging tests
This study enrolls people with no memory impairment, mild memory problems, or mild Alzheimer’s dementia to test how brain scans and cognitive tests relate to Alzheimer’s disease. It may help by contributing to better early diagnosis and by letting you see whether you fit into the study’s imaging and blood-test pathway.
Walnut Creek, CaliforniaAges 55–90 - NCT05625425Recruiting
Study testing a memory and wayfinding training program
This study tests a wayfinding (getting around) training program and how it may affect long-term memory. You may need brain scans (fMRI), virtual reality tasks, and regular short walks to participate.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 60–85 - NCT05612750Recruiting
Online therapy for chronic pain: CBT vs one-session relief
This study compares two online treatments for chronic pain: an 8-session cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program versus a single “empowered relief” session. It aims to see which approach helps people manage pain better over time.
Long Beach, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05591937Recruiting
Online therapy and prevention support for eligible East LA students
This project offers online mental health prevention and therapy programs and short assessments for eligible students. It may help you access support in a convenient way if you meet the study’s student, coverage, and technology needs.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–40 - NCT05531461Recruiting
Imaging study after clot removal with Tigertriever device
This study looks at brain images and thinking (cognition) after treatment to remove a large artery blood clot using the Tigertriever. It may help doctors understand how well the procedure works and how it affects long-term brain function.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT05491551Recruiting
Alcohol training program to help you cut back or quit
This study tests a structured training program for young adults who’ve been drinking heavily, to help them reduce drinking or quit. You’ll be asked to complete daily short check-ins and follow study instructions, and you may be randomly assigned to different parts of the program.
Berkeley, CaliforniaAges 18–26 - NCT05400174Recruiting
How blood pressure changes affect thinking and brain flow in Parkinson’s
This study measures how your blood pressure affects thinking skills and how blood flows in the brain in people with Parkinson’s. It may help researchers understand what blood-pressure changes could mean for cognition in Parkinson’s.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 50 years+ - NCT05283811Recruiting
Brain recording during epilepsy care, while doing a memory task
This study listens to brain activity in people with epilepsy who already need electrodes placed inside the brain. Researchers want to understand how different parts of the brain respond while you complete simple thinking and memory-related tasks, which may help improve future treatments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 10–64 - NCT05237986Recruiting
Study brain and thinking effects after CAR T therapy in youth
This study looks at how CAR T-cell treatment affects thinking, learning, and day-to-day brain function in children and young adults with certain blood cancers. You (and a caregiver) may complete online testing so researchers can track these changes over time and whether support is needed.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 5 years+ - NCT05215886Enrolling by invitation
Bariatric surgery and memory problems in people with obesity
This study looks at how bariatric (weight-loss) surgery may affect memory and thinking in people with obesity who already have memory decline or dementia. It may help doctors understand which patients benefit most and what changes to expect.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT05194930Recruiting
Insomnia treatment study for Veterans with PTSD symptoms
This study tests treatments to help Veterans who have both PTSD symptoms and trouble sleeping (insomnia). You may be invited to try study procedures to see what helps insomnia and whether it also improves sleep-related well-being.
Sepulveda, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05185128Recruiting
Social skills training and brain imaging in teens with autism
This study looks at how social thinking and social skills training affect the brain in teens with autism, compared with teens with other severe mental health conditions and typically developing teens. It may help researchers understand what drives social difficulties and what could improve social functioning.
Loma Linda, CaliforniaAges 12–18 - NCT05127616Recruiting
Trial for chronic pelvic pain: CBT vs education/support
This study tests whether structured talking therapy (CBT) or education/support helps reduce chronic pelvic pain problems in adults. It compares two approaches over time and uses symptom diaries and follow-up check-ins to see which works better.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT04883255RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Study cannabis effects on brain function in adults with HIV
This early-phase study looks at how cannabis (and the body’s cannabinoid system) may affect thinking and brain-related measures in people with HIV. You may be asked to avoid cannabis and complete several brain and health assessments to see how these factors relate.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT04804241RecruitingPhase 2
Senicapoc for early Alzheimer’s symptoms
This Phase 2 study tests whether the drug senicapoc can slow or improve symptoms in people with early Alzheimer’s disease or mild memory impairment. You would have a 50/50 chance of getting senicapoc or a placebo (inactive pill), along with regular study visits and testing.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 55–85 - NCT04262206RecruitingPhase 4
Testing how statins affect outcomes in adults 75 and older
This trial studies whether cholesterol-lowering medicine (a statin, specifically atorvastatin) improves health and benefits in people age 75 and older in everyday life. It may help doctors understand which older adults benefit most and how to use these medicines safely.
Fresno, CaliforniaAges 75 years+
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting cognition studies listed above.
- University of California · 3 studies
- University of California, Irvine · 2 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles · 2 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 2 studies
- Castro-Mission Health Center
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- East Los Angeles College
What taking part in a cognition study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Cognition trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there cognition clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 124 recruiting cognition studies with a site in California, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a cognition study in California?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a cognition trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New cognition studies open in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
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.