Clinical trials · Massachusetts
Depression clinical trials in Massachusetts
We’re tracking 105 recruiting depression studies with a site in Massachusetts — including Early Phase 1, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in Massachusetts
- 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–74 - NCT06876129RecruitingPhase 1
Adding D-serine to TMS for depression
This trial tests whether adding a medication called D-serine to a brain stimulation treatment (TMS) helps improve depression. It’s for adults with major depression who are already getting TMS therapy.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 18–80 - NCT05921201Recruiting
RRE program to prevent depression in Chinese American teens
This trial tests an education and skills program (Relax, Reflect, and Empower, or RRE) designed to help prevent depression in Chinese American teens. It may help by teaching coping strategies before symptoms become more serious.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 14–18 - NCT07195721Recruiting
How special contact lenses affect mental health
This study looks at whether PROSE or scleral lenses can improve mental health in people with certain eye surface conditions. It may be a good fit if you have a dry eye or related disease and are considering these lenses.
Needham, MassachusettsAges Any age - NCT07655232Recruiting
Behavioral program for depression in nursing homes
This study tests a behavioral program designed to help skilled nursing facility residents with depression. The program aims to improve mood and quality of life.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07560878RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Brain Stimulation and Medication Study for Depression
This early-stage study tests a type of magnetic brain stimulation called theta burst stimulation combined with study medications to help treat moderate to severe depression. Researchers want to understand how this combination affects brain communication and may help reduce depressive symptoms.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07553637RecruitingPhase 2
ALTO-207 for Adults With Hard-to-Treat Depression
This study tests whether a new medication called ALTO-207 can help people with depression that hasn't improved with standard antidepressants. You may qualify if you've tried multiple antidepressants without enough relief and are willing to add this experimental treatment to your current medication.
Worcester, MassachusettsAges 18–75 - NCT07413705Recruiting
Devices for depression and sexual health in menopause
This study tests two devices (BTL-699-2 and HPM-6000UF) to see if they can improve depression symptoms and sexual function in women going through menopause or perimenopause. It may help with mood and intimacy during this life stage.
Wellesley, MassachusettsAges 40 years+ - NCT07230990Recruiting
Brain Stimulation Study for Depression
This study uses a special type of brain stimulation (rTMS, which uses magnetic pulses) to treat depression. It focuses on part of the brain called the orbitofrontal cortex and aims to understand how stimulating it helps improve mood.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT06816329Recruiting
Stress and depression risk study for teenage girls
This study looks at how stress affects teenage girls who may be at higher risk for depression due to a parent's history. It involves MRI scans and daily surveys on a cell phone.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 13–15 - NCT06792175Enrolling by invitation
Using speech to detect mental health conditions
This study uses a computer program to listen to your speech and see if it can help detect mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. It may help find new ways to diagnose conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and others earlier.
Brookline, MassachusettsAges 13–60 - NCT06790641Recruiting
Supporting mental health during and after pregnancy
This study aims to improve mental health care for people during and after pregnancy. It involves interviews or focus groups with healthcare providers, peer mentors, and patients to understand how to make support services more helpful and accessible.
Shrewsbury, MassachusettsAges 18–70 - NCT06786624RecruitingPhase 3
Testing a new drug for depression that hasn't fully responded to treatment
This trial tests a new medication called NBI-1065845 added to your current antidepressant for people with depression that hasn't fully responded to treatment. It aims to see if this combination can better improve your symptoms.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06633016RecruitingPhase 2
ABX-002 for major depression (add-on treatment)
This trial tests a new medication called ABX-002 as an add-on to your current antidepressant. It's for people with moderate to severe depression who haven't gotten enough help from their current antidepressant alone.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT06599099Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for depression that hasn't responded to other treatments
This trial tests if deep brain stimulation (a surgical implant that sends gentle electrical pulses to a specific area of the brain) can help people with bipolar I disorder who are currently in a severe depressive episode and have not found relief from multiple treatments.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 22–64 - NCT06524830RecruitingPhase 2
Testing VLS-01 film for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests an experimental film placed inside the cheek (VLS-01) against a placebo to see if it helps people whose depression hasn't improved with standard antidepressants. If you have tried at least two antidepressants without success, this study may be an option for you.
Springfield, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT06376734RecruitingPhase 2
TMS for depression, anxiety, OCD, or schizophrenia
This study tests whether a brain stimulation technique called TMS can help people with depression, anxiety, OCD, or schizophrenia. It aims to find better ways to target the treatment for each person's specific needs.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT06223880RecruitingPhase 4
AXS-05 vs Bupropion to prevent depression relapse
This study tests whether a new drug called AXS-05 can prevent depression from coming back, compared to an older drug called bupropion. If you have major depression and are at risk of relapse, this trial may help you stay well.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT06136546RecruitingPhase 2
Infliximab for depression with cognitive problems
This trial tests if a medicine called infliximab, given through an IV, can help improve thinking and memory problems in people with moderate to severe depression who also have high inflammation levels. It aims to see if lowering inflammation can ease both mood and cognitive symptoms.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 25–50 - NCT05630963Recruiting
Study sleep-like brain signaling in major depression
This trial looks at how a specific brain receptor related to pain signals (nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor) may be involved in depression. It may help researchers understand depression better by comparing people with current versus past (remitted) major depression.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 18–45 - NCT05617495Recruiting
Mindfulness training with brain scans for depression
This study tests a mindfulness-based program combined with “brain scan feedback” (fMRI neurofeedback) to see if it can help teenagers and young adults with major depression. It may help by teaching skills and tracking brain activity changes during treatment.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 13–18 - NCT05573074Recruiting
Light treatment trial for brain blood flow in depression
This study tests whether shining near-infrared light through the head can change brain blood flow and reduce depression symptoms. If you have major depression, you may be offered a non-drug, device-based approach to see how well it helps.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT05450432RecruitingPhase 4
Ketamine maintenance to help prevent suicidal thoughts
This Phase 4 study tests whether ongoing treatment with ketamine or esketamine can reduce suicidal thoughts in people with major depression who are at high risk. Because the study focuses on long-term maintenance, you’d receive treatment over time while being closely monitored for safety and mental health changes.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–70 - NCT05624931Recruiting
Helping pregnant women stay on PrEP after starting it
This study tries to reduce the psychological barriers that make it hard for pregnant or postpartum women to keep taking PrEP. It may help by offering support tailored to stress, trauma symptoms, or depression—especially soon after PrEP is started.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 15 years+
Depression trials by city in Massachusetts
Where these studies are running in Massachusetts
Institutions with a site for the recruiting depression studies listed above.
- Massachusetts General Hospital · 4 studies
- McLean Hospital · 4 studies
- Adams Clinical · 2 studies
- Northeastern University · 2 studies
- Aesthetic + Mind MD
- Autobahn Site #137
- Autobahn Site #138
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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 Massachusetts?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 105 recruiting depression studies with a site in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts?
- 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 Massachusetts to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts 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.