Clinical trials · California
Depression clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 132 recruiting depression studies with a site in California — including Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT04556890Recruiting
Brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain
This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to see if it can help people who have both major depression that hasn't improved with medication and chronic pain from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. It aims to reduce both depression and pain symptoms.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04870255Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression in borderline personality disorder
This study tests a type of brain stimulation called rTMS to see if it can help improve mood in people who have both depression and borderline personality disorder. It may offer a new treatment option for those who haven't tried TMS before.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT06911112RecruitingPhase 3
A new pill for depression when current treatment isn't working well enough
This trial tests an investigational medication (NBI-1065845) added to your current antidepressant to see if it can improve depressive symptoms. It is for people with moderate to severe depression who have not fully responded to their current antidepressant.
Glendale, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06963021RecruitingPhase 3
Study of NBI-1065845 for depression that hasn't fully responded to treatment
This trial tests an investigational drug called NBI-1065845 added to your current antidepressant. It is for people with moderate to severe depression or persistent depressive disorder who have not improved enough with oral antidepressants alone.
Chino, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07592689RecruitingPhase 3
DT120 Treatment for Major Depression
This study tests whether a new medication called DT120 can help people with moderate-to-severe depression feel better. You'd take the medication for several weeks while doctors track your mood and symptoms.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - NCT03887715RecruitingTeam says not enrolling
VNS device for long-term depression that hasn’t improved
This trial studies whether a vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device can reduce symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. Participants either receive the VNS treatment or a no-stimulation control, to compare safety and effectiveness.
Burlingame, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07412756RecruitingPhase 3
Brenipatide for major depressive disorder
This trial tests a new medication, Brenipatide, to see if it helps people with major depression who are already on a stable treatment. You would need to inject the study drug yourself and complete questionnaires.
Moorpark, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04777357RecruitingPhase 3
Cariprazine for bipolar depression in ages 10 to 17
This Phase 3 study tests whether cariprazine can improve depression symptoms in children and teens with bipolar I disorder, and also tracks side effects. It may help if your depressive episode is ongoing and you meet specific mood and screening score requirements.
Anaheim, CaliforniaAges 10–17 - NCT06656416RecruitingPhase 2
ALTO-100 for bipolar depression
This trial tests an investigational drug called ALTO-100 in people with bipolar I or II who are currently experiencing depression. It looks at whether this new medicine can help improve depression symptoms when taken alongside your usual mood stabilizer or antipsychotic medication.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT06572683Enrolling by invitation
Novel TMS for hard-to-treat depression
This trial tests a new type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for people with severe depression that hasn't improved with multiple medications or therapy. It uses a different frequency pattern to target brain circuits.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 21–75 - NCT05329441Recruiting
Testing an anti-depression medicine for threat-related brain changes in teens
This trial studies how fluoxetine or escitalopram (anti-depression medicines) may affect brain systems involved in feeling threatened and staying anxious when you have depression. It also uses brain scanning and blood tests to measure these changes.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 14–21 - NCT07022405RecruitingPhase 2
Medication study for depression with brain scans
This study tests whether a targeted medication can improve mood and brain function in adults with major depression. If you qualify, you'll receive a study drug and have fMRI brain scans to see how your brain responds.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT07281352RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Psilocybin therapy for depression
This study tests if psilocybin (a psychedelic) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people with major depression. You would receive the psilocybin in a supervised setting and have talk therapy before and after.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 21–60 - NCT07279311Enrolling by invitation
Virtual reality for depression during high-risk pregnancy
This study tests if virtual reality (VR) exercises can help reduce depression symptoms in pregnant people who must stay in the hospital for at least 3 weeks due to complications. If you are feeling down and are able to use VR, this treatment might offer a new way to feel better.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07294924Recruiting
Predicting depression treatment response with brain imaging
This study uses a special brain-imaging headband to see if it can predict how well people with depression respond to a treatment called accelerated rTMS (a type of brain stimulation). It compares results with people who do not have depression.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT06775379RecruitingPhase 3
Azetukalner vs. placebo for major depression
This trial tests an investigational medication called Azetukalner against a placebo to see if it helps reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder. You may qualify if you are currently in a depressive episode that started in adulthood and have not tried or failed only a few antidepressants.
Glendale, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - NCT07076407RecruitingPhase 3
Testing a new antidepressant pill for depression
This study tests an experimental oral pill called azetukalner against a placebo to see if it safely reduces symptoms of major depressive disorder. It is for adults who are currently in a depressive episode lasting 6 weeks to 2 years and have not already tried multiple antidepressants that failed.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - NCT06922110Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
Long-term study of azetukalner for depression
This study is for people who already completed a previous trial of azetukalner for major depressive disorder. It tests the long-term safety and effects of continuing the medication.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07573176RecruitingPhase 3
Seltorexant for Depression in Adults and Older Adults
This study tests a new medication called seltorexant as a standalone treatment for major depression. The trial is for adults and older adults who have depression that hasn't improved with other antidepressants or who haven't tried them yet.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - NCT06966401RecruitingPhase 3
Long-term safety study of a new depression treatment
This study tests a new oral medication (NBI-1065845) added to your current antidepressant to see if it's safe and tolerable over a long period for people with depression that hasn't fully responded to treatment.
Glendale, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07484217RecruitingPhase 3
Testing solriamfetol for depression with daytime sleepiness
This study tests if the drug solriamfetol can help people with major depression who also feel very tired during the day. It aims to improve both mood and daytime sleepiness.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT07196501RecruitingPhase 3
Study of a new add-on treatment for depression maintenance
This trial tests a new medication (NBI-1065845) added to your current antidepressant to see if it helps maintain improvement in depression. It is for people whose depression hasn't fully responded to their current oral antidepressant.
Oceanside, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05850689RecruitingPhase 3
Lumateperone add-on for major depression that didn’t improve
This study tests whether adding lumateperone to an antidepressant helps adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who haven’t improved enough after trying at least two different antidepressants. It may help reduce depressive symptoms more than antidepressants alone.
Pico Rivera, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT03388606Recruiting
Studying adolescent depression and how to treat it
This study looks closely at how depression shows up in teens and tests approaches to treatment. It may help teens and families better understand depression and get access to structured care as part of research.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 11–25
Depression trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting depression studies listed above.
- ATP Clinical Research · 6 studies
- Neurocrine Clinical Site · 4 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 4 studies
- Clinical Site · 3 studies
- Excell Research Inc · 3 studies
- NRC Research Institute · 3 studies
- Pacific Clinical Research Management Group LLC · 3 studies
- Sunwise Clinical Research · 3 studies
What taking part in a depression 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.
Depression trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there depression clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 132 recruiting depression 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 depression 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 depression 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 depression 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.