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, Phase 2/Phase 3, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT07717723Recruiting
Support for caregivers of heart disease patients
This study tests a program to help caregivers of people with heart disease manage stress and challenges. It aims to support your mental health while caring for a loved one.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04441034RecruitingPhase 4
Compare two medicines for long-term pain in real life
This trial compares two types of medicines—anti-convulsants and anti-depressants—for people with persistent pain lasting more than 3 months. It aims to find out which option works better in everyday care and for which patients.
Redwood City, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06605105Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
Long-term extension trial of CYB003 for depression
This long-term study is for people who already completed an earlier trial of the experimental drug CYB003 for major depression and who stayed on their regular antidepressant. It looks at the safety and effects of taking CYB003 again over many months.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–85 - NCT05176392Recruiting
Stimulation treatment plus therapy for post-injury headaches
This study tests whether a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment combined with therapy can reduce long-lasting headaches after a mild brain injury. You might be a good candidate if your headaches started after the injury and have continued for months.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT05379673Recruiting
Breathing changes with extra oxygen after surgery
This study looks at whether giving extra oxygen during recovery from general anesthesia changes how you breathe after surgery. You may be offered different oxygen levels around the time you wake up to see what helps your breathing most comfortably.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT05645575Recruiting
Inpatient TMS for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests an in-hospital brain stimulation treatment (TMS) for people with moderate to severe depression who did not improve after multiple antidepressant treatments. It may help your mood by targeting brain circuits involved in depression, and you would follow an intensive accelerated schedule.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT05685368RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Therapy groups to help teens cope with sickle cell
This trial tests a structured talk-therapy program called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for teens and young adults with sickle cell disease. It aims to help you manage tough thoughts and feelings and cope with day-to-day challenges over 6 weekly group sessions.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 14–21 - NCT05869682RecruitingPhase 2
Bright light therapy for fatigue and depression in prostate cancer
This Phase 2 study tests whether a “bright white light” intervention can reduce cancer-related fatigue and depression in people with advanced prostate cancer receiving hormone-based treatment. If it works, it could improve day-to-day well-being while you’re on standard cancer therapies.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 60 years+ - NCT05908565Recruiting
Digital therapy program for Latinx college students in East LA
This study tests a digital (online) prevention and therapy program called STAND to see if it improves engagement and outcomes. You may be able to participate if you’re a Latinx student at East Los Angeles College and can complete online assessments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–40 - NCT05922878RecruitingPhase 2
ALTO-300 study for moderate to severe depression
This trial tests ALTO-300 as an add-on treatment for people with moderate to severe major depressive disorder (MDD). It aims to see whether ALTO-300 helps improve depression symptoms when you’re already on a stable antidepressant.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT05996900Recruiting
Brain stimulation study for adults with epilepsy
This study uses advanced brain monitoring and noninvasive magnetic stimulation to understand how repetitive brain stimulation works in people with epilepsy who are already scheduled for hospital monitoring. It may help develop better treatments for seizures.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06073886RecruitingPhase 2
Better brain stimulation for long-lasting concussion symptoms
This trial tests whether personalized brain stimulation can help people who have ongoing symptoms more than 20 on a standard concussion scale, such as headaches, dizziness, or trouble concentrating, after a mild head injury in the past year.
Westwood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06162741Recruiting
Brief mindfulness training for Veterans in primary care
This study tests whether brief mindfulness training offered in VA primary care can help Veterans with symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety. It aims to see if this approach works well in everyday clinic settings.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06175104Recruiting
HeartGPS: Support for parents after a prenatal heart diagnosis
This study tests a counseling program for parents whose unborn baby has a serious heart condition called single ventricle. The program aims to help parents manage stress and support their baby's development before and after birth.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06269146RecruitingPhase 2
Pramipexole to improve social connections
This study tests if a medication called pramipexole can help people with anxiety or depression who also find it difficult to connect socially. It looks at whether the drug can improve your motivation for social interactions and help you feel more connected.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–50 - NCT06273527RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Thinking skills training for mood and anxiety
This study tests whether a computerized training program can help people with mood, anxiety, or trauma-related disorders who struggle with repetitive negative thinking. If you are an outpatient and can have an MRI, this may be a good fit.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 21–55 - NCT06373718Recruiting
How sleep affects emotions in insomnia with low mood
This study explores how improving sleep might help regulate emotions in people who have both insomnia and mild depressive symptoms. You could help researchers understand the link between sleep and mood.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06856057Recruiting
Support for caregivers and kids after injury
This study helps parents and young children cope with stress after a hospital stay for an injury. It tests a program to improve mental health for both caregivers and kids.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06569303Recruiting
Filipino family health study for parents of children 8–12
This study offers a free parenting program for Filipino families with children ages 8–12 to help strengthen family bonds and manage challenges together. It is designed to understand what works best for your community.
Pasadena, CaliforniaAges 8 years+ - NCT07048574Recruiting
Mood and behavior in children with cystic fibrosis
This study looks at mood and behavior in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) under 12. By following children over time, researchers hope to better understand and help with depression, anxiety, and behavior challenges that may come up.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 1.5 years–11 years - NCT06768749Recruiting
Melatonin lotion for better sleep and mood
This trial tests whether using a scented melatonin lotion before bed can improve sleep and reduce anxiety or depression symptoms. It may be a good fit if you have mild sleep problems and some mood symptoms but are not currently taking medication for them.
Redlands, CaliforniaAges 18–21 - NCT06874790Recruiting
Web-based mental health app study for Latina women
This study tests a web-based app to help Latina women in Los Angeles or Orange County who are feeling anxious or depressed. If you are not currently in therapy or on medication, you may be able to join from home using your smartphone or computer.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07105111RecruitingPhase 4
Valbenazine for tardive dyskinesia after other treatment
This study tests if valbenazine helps adults with tardive dyskinesia whose symptoms continue even after taking or stopping another similar medication. Tardive dyskinesia involves uncontrollable movements from long-term use of certain mental health drugs.
Fountain Valley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
Depression trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting depression studies listed above.
- Stanford University · 4 studies
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles · 3 studies
- East Los Angeles College · 2 studies
- University of California San Diego · 2 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 2 studies
- VA San Diego Healthcare System · 2 studies
- Adverum Clinical Site 215
- Children's Hospital of Orange County
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.