Clinical trials
Depression clinical trials
A common mood disorder causing persistent sadness and loss of interest. We’re tracking 1,419 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05017311RecruitingPhase 4
Testing a depression medication plan using symptom predictions
This Phase 4 study tests an “optimized” medication approach for adults with major depressive disorder (unipolar depression) based on how you respond over time. It may help your care team choose treatments more effectively and reduce trial-and-error.
Calgary, AlbertaAges 18–65 - NCT05051618Recruiting
Exercise program for depression in people with multiple sclerosis
This trial studies whether a structured exercise program can help reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder in people who also have multiple sclerosis. You’ll complete questionnaires, wear an activity sensor, and do exercise testing while being assigned to the study program.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–64 - NCT04984512RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Testing mitizodone tablets for major depression symptoms
This trial studies whether mitizodone phosphate tablets can improve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). It also checks the treatment’s safety, including mood and physical health effects.
Dongguan, GuangdongAges 18–65 - NCT04972136Recruiting
Brain stimulation treatment for depression in young adults with autism
This trial studies a noninvasive brain stimulation (rTMS) to help reduce depression symptoms in young adults who have autism. It aims to find out if this treatment can improve mood and daily functioning without requiring recent changes to medications.
Toronto, OntarioAges 16–35 - NCT04982757Enrolling by invitation
Accelerated TMS to treat depression or OCD
This trial tests an “accelerated” form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to reduce symptoms of depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). You may be considered if standard treatments didn’t help (or you couldn’t tolerate them), and if it’s safe for you to receive TMS.
New York, New YorkAges 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 - NCT04788524Recruiting
Brain and stress study in depressed teens with control feelings
This study uses brain scans and short real-life mood/stress check-ins to understand how stress and perceived control work in teens with depression. It may help researchers better pinpoint brain patterns linked to depression and how teens experience control during stressful moments.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 14–18 - 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.
Bentonville, ArkansasAges 10–17 - NCT04751331RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study brain response to inflammation in depression
This early-stage study tests how your brain responds to an “inflammatory challenge” in people with major depressive disorder and in healthy volunteers. It may help researchers understand the immune-to-brain link in depression and guide future treatments.
Tulsa, OklahomaAges 18–65 - NCT04582916RecruitingPhase 1
PET scan study of inflammation in major depression
This Phase 1 study uses a PET brain scan to look at inflammation-related activity (cyclooxygenase) in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). It may help researchers better understand how depression is connected to inflammation in the brain.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT04576182Recruiting
Therapy for depression using emotion-focused sessions
This study tests a structured talk-therapy program (supportive-expressive and emotion-focused therapy) for people with major depression. It may help by teaching new ways to understand and work with emotions as part of treatment.
HaifaAges 18–65 - NCT04569448RecruitingPhase 3
Brexpiprazole for bipolar depression that won’t improve
This Phase 3 study tests whether brexpiprazole can help treat bipolar depression that has not responded to previous treatments. It compares the study medicine to a placebo (inactive pill) for people with bipolar I or II depression.
Hamilton, OntarioAges 18–75 - NCT04509102Enrolling by invitationEarly Phase 1
Test added stimulant medicine with rTMS for depression
This early study tests whether adding a stimulant medicine to repetitive TMS (a non-drug brain stimulation) can improve depression. It is aimed at people whose depression has not improved after at least two antidepressant tries.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT04581902Recruiting
Study blood and brain markers in moderate to severe depression
This study looks at changes in depression “markers” to understand what treatments help and why. You’ll have non-invasive brain stimulation and scans before and after treatment, over about 8 weeks.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT04400266RecruitingPhase 4
Buspirone and melatonin for depression after a brain injury
This trial studies whether the medicines buspirone and melatonin can reduce depression symptoms in people who had a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) at least 3 months ago. It may help if you have ongoing depression after TBI and can safely take study medications and attend regular visits, including MRI scans.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–64 - NCT04263285Recruiting
Repetitive brain stimulation for depression after spinal cord injury
This trial studies a brain-stimulation treatment to improve depression symptoms in people who have depression after a spinal cord injury. It may help if you have major depression and meet specific safety and eligibility checks.
Charleston, South CarolinaAges 18–70 - NCT04124341Recruiting
Brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests a new brain stimulation treatment for people with severe depression that hasn't improved with standard treatments. You must have tried at least four different depression treatments without success, and either had or refused electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). You’ll need to be under a psychiatrist’s care and be enrolled in Medicare. The study involves brain scans and EEG sessions to tailor the treatment to you.
Minneapolis, MinnesotaAges 22–70 - 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+ - NCT03887715Recruiting
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.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - 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 - NCT03736538Enrolling by invitationPhase 1
Nitrous oxide for suicidal thoughts in depression
This Phase 1 study tests whether breathing nitrous oxide can safely reduce suicidal thoughts in adults with major depression. It may help people whose depression is causing moderate to severe suicidal thinking, by studying a fast-acting treatment approach.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18–65 - 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
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for depression?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 1,419 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.