Clinical trials
Depression clinical trials
A common mood disorder causing persistent sadness and loss of interest. We’re tracking 1,509 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT07691749Recruiting
Psychobiotics plus antidepressants for Major Depression
This study tests whether adding psychobiotics (special probiotics for mental health) to your current antidepressant helps treat major depression better than the antidepressant alone. It may be an option if you have moderate to severe depression and are on a stable antidepressant dose.
Lahore, Punjab ProvinceAges 18–60 - NCT07218055Recruiting
Music for mood in children with depression
This study looks at how listening to or making music might help children with depression. Your child would answer questions or keep a diary about their mood and music experiences.
New York, New YorkAges 7–15 - NCT07533773Recruiting
Brain Activity Changes After Depression Treatment
This study measures how brain activity in specific regions changes after you receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or magnetic seizure therapy (MST) for severe depression. Researchers use a non-invasive headband to monitor blood flow in your brain before and after treatment to better understand how these therapies work.
Hefei, AnhuiAges 12–65 - NCT06247839RecruitingPhase 3
Psilocybin for depression: changing self-focus
This trial tests whether a single dose of psilocybin can help people with treatment-resistant depression by changing how they focus on themselves. It aims to understand how psilocybin affects brain activity and self-related thinking.
Charlestown, MassachusettsAges 18–55 - NCT07706478Recruiting
Ketamine and Talk Therapy for Tough Depression
This trial tests whether a combination of ketamine (given through an IV) and talk therapy can help people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. If you have tried multiple antidepressants and therapy without success, this study may offer a new option.
Doorn, UtrechtAges 18–70 - 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 - 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 - NCT03272698RecruitingPhase 4
Ketamine plus ECT versus higher-dose ketamine with rescue
This study compares two ways of using ketamine with ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) in people with treatment-resistant depression. It aims to find whether a higher-dose ketamine approach, with extra rescue measures, works better or more safely.
Saskatoon, SaskatchewanAges 18 years+ - NCT03417960Recruiting
Accelerated brain stimulation for postpartum depression
This trial studies an intensive form of noninvasive brain stimulation (treatments given through the scalp) for postpartum depression. It aims to reduce depression symptoms and improve wellbeing in people who are at least 18 and have moderate symptoms.
Charleston, South CarolinaAges 18–50 - NCT03423680RecruitingPhase 3
Aripiprazole added to mood stabilizers for bipolar depression
This trial tests whether adding aripiprazole (Abilify) to a mood stabilizer helps people with bipolar disorder who are currently in a major depressive episode. It may help improve depressive symptoms compared with the mood stabilizer alone.
SeoulAges 19–70 - NCT03437928Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for severe, treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS, a surgically placed device that sends signals to the brain) can reduce symptoms of long-lasting major depression that has not improved with many treatments. You may be more likely to qualify if your depression has been present for years, has been resistant to multiple medications and therapies, and if you meet specific safety and testing requirements.
Dallas, TexasAges 22–70 - NCT03522545RecruitingPhase 1
Stem cell add-on for hard-to-treat bipolar depression
This Phase 1 study tests whether adding allogeneic (donor) stem cells to standard care is safe and may help adults with bipolar depression that has not improved with usual treatments. It mainly targets people with more severe symptoms and certain blood inflammation levels.
Houston, TexasAges 18–65 - NCT03537794Recruiting
Brain scan study in depression using a dopamine binding marker
This study uses a special brain imaging scan (PET) to measure how dopamine receptors are binding in people with treatment-resistant depression, compared with healthy volunteers. It aims to better understand brain chemistry differences that may help guide future treatment.
Toronto, OntarioAges 25–55 - NCT03665831Recruiting
Deep TMS for depression and memory problems in older adults
This study tests a type of brain stimulation called Deep TMS to help reduce depression and improve or stabilize memory-related symptoms in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s mainly for people whose depression did not improve or could not be tolerated with antidepressant medicine.
Toronto, OntarioAges 60 years+ - 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 - NCT03859297Recruiting
Testing how rumination changes in depressed teens
This study looks at what changes in “rumination” (repetitive worrying/thinking about negative thoughts) in teens with depression, and how those changes relate to recovery. It’s for ages 14–17 who have had major depression and meet specific screening and medical rules.
Columbus, OhioAges 14–17 - NCT03952962Recruiting
Brain stimulation trial for depression that hasn’t improved
This trial tests a targeted deep brain stimulation procedure to reduce symptoms in people with long-lasting, treatment-resistant depression. It may help by improving mood symptoms using stimulation guided by detailed brain imaging.
Dallas, TexasAges 21–70 - NCT04004169Recruiting
Closed-loop deep brain stimulation for long-lasting depression
This study tests a special kind of brain stimulation that can adjust to your brain signals while treating major depression that has not improved with standard treatments. It may help people with severe, long-term treatment-resistant depression, but it requires brain surgery and frequent visits.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–70 - NCT06930729Recruiting
Depression help for cancer survivors via video and app
This study tests a program to help cancer survivors who are feeling depressed. It uses video calls and a smartphone app called Moodivate to check in with you, and you do not have to be in therapy to join.
Charleston, South CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04057378RecruitingPhase 4
Testing the best electrical settings for ECT for depression
This trial studies which electrical “pulse settings” work best during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for people with depression. It may help doctors personalize ECT so the treatment is safer and works as well as possible for you.
ÖrebroAges 18 years+ - NCT04061148Recruiting
Near-infrared testing to assess depression
This study uses a near-infrared light test to measure things related to depression. It includes people without depression and people diagnosed with major depressive disorder receiving care at UCSF/SFVAMC, to see how well the test fits with depression status.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04080778Recruiting
Magnetic seizure treatment for severe bipolar or hard-to-treat depression
This trial studies whether a seizure-like therapy using magnet stimulation can quickly reduce severe depressive symptoms in people with bipolar depression or treatment-resistant depression. It may help when depression is intense and hasn’t improved enough with at least two antidepressant medicines.
Houston, TexasAges 22–85 - NCT04124341Recruiting
Brain implant study for severe treatment-resistant depression
This study tests a brain stimulation implant (called PCS) to help people with long-lasting depression that has not improved with many antidepressant treatments. It also uses brain scans and monitoring sessions to better understand how the treatment works and who may benefit.
Minneapolis, MinnesotaAges 22–70 - NCT04191811Recruiting
Using brain signals to predict CBT success for mood or sleep issues
This study tests whether brain measurements can help predict who will benefit from a type of talk therapy called CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). If you have depression, social anxiety, or insomnia, your brain “response variability” may be used to personalize or improve treatment planning.
Huddinge, Stockholm CountyAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for depression?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 1,509 recruiting depression 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 depression 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 depression 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.