Clinical trials
Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant clinical trials
Below are recruiting depressive disorder, treatment-resistant clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 85 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT06781697RecruitingPhase 3
Ketamine and virtual reality for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests if adding virtual reality to ketamine treatments can help people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. You'll receive IV ketamine as prescribed by your doctor and also use a virtual reality headset during sessions.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT06668571RecruitingPhase 2
Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests if intravenous ketamine can help people with treatment-resistant depression who haven't found relief from at least two other treatments. If you qualify, you'll receive ketamine infusions to see if it improves your mood.
Rochester, MinnesotaAges 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 - NCT06518720RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin for Chronic Nerve Pain and Depression
This trial tests whether psilocybin (a psychedelic medication) can help people who have both chronic nerve pain and depression that hasn't responded to standard treatments. The goal is to see if it can reduce pain and improve mood.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65 - NCT06511908RecruitingPhase 2
Testing a new ketamine-like drug for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests a new experimental drug (2R,6R)-HNK, a chemical related to ketamine, given by IV infusion to see if it can help people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. The goal is to find a new option for people who have not found relief from standard antidepressants.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–70 - NCT06512220RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression brain imaging study
This study tests whether a psilocybin-based treatment can help people with depression that has not improved after trying several antidepressants. You will receive the study treatment and have brain scans to see how it affects brain connections.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65 - NCT06511544Recruiting
Brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression with rumination
This study tests whether a specific form of brain stimulation (called rTMS) can help people with treatment-resistant depression by targeting brain circuits linked to rumination (repetitive negative thinking). If you have tried at least one antidepressant without success and do not have other major mental health conditions, this trial may be worth exploring with your doctor.
Indianapolis, IndianaAges 18–70 - NCT06396312Recruiting
Predicting lithium response in difficult depression
This study looks at how to predict which people with hard-to-treat depression will benefit from adding lithium to their antidepressant. If you have treatment-resistant depression and are considering lithium, this trial may help find the best treatment for you.
Munich, BavariaAges 18 years+ - NCT05833087Recruiting
Schema therapy for long-lasting, hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether schema therapy can help people with chronic depression that hasn’t improved enough with standard antidepressant treatments. You’d be in a psychiatric clinic and be assessed for severity and diagnosis, then receive the therapy being studied.
Ballerup MunicipalityAges 18–65 - NCT06132178RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin and rTMS for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether a combination of psilocybin (a psychedelic substance) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS, a noninvasive brain stimulation) can help people with treatment-resistant depression. It involves daily visits to the research center for about 2 weeks.
Austin, TexasAges 22–65 - NCT06085950Recruiting
Ultrasound brain stimulation for hard-to-treat depression
This trial tests whether a gentle ultrasound treatment aimed at the brain can help people with severe depression that hasn't improved with at least two prior medications. It's a first small study to see if the approach is safe and promising.
ParisAges 18–75 - NCT05377177Recruiting
Brain stimulation type test for suicidal thoughts in depression
This study tests whether stimulating the brain on both sides at once versus one side can reduce suicidal thoughts in people with treatment-resistant depression. It also looks at brain “inhibition” signals to help predict who benefits.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT06044324Enrolling by invitation
Imaging brain activity in TMS for depression
This trial uses PET scans to see how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) affects the brain in people whose depression hasn't improved with at least two different antidepressants. It aims to find markers that could predict who might benefit from TMS.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–45 - NCT05773755Recruiting
Brain stimulation surgery for treatment-resistant depression
This trial studies whether deep brain stimulation (DBS)—a surgically placed brain device—can reduce severe, long-lasting depression that hasn’t responded to many treatments. It may help people whose depression has persisted despite trying multiple antidepressant and other evidence-based therapies.
New York, New YorkAges 25–70 - NCT05641623RecruitingPhase 2
Add-on treatment for depression not improved by standard medication
This trial tests whether adding the study drug OSU6162 to your current antidepressant can help when standard medications haven't worked well enough. It aims to reduce depression symptoms over several weeks.
Lund, Skåne CountyAges 25–75 - NCT05570344Recruiting
Texting support plus brain stimulation for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether adding supportive text messages to brain stimulation (repetitive TMS) helps people with depression that has not improved after at least two antidepressant tries. It may help some people by combining a brain-based treatment with ongoing daily encouragement and support.
Edmonton, AlbertaAges 18 years+ - NCT05393622Recruiting
Brain stimulation trial for severe, treatment-resistant depression
This study tests an implanted form of brain stimulation for people with severe depression that has not improved with multiple medication trials. If you qualify, you would have brain scans and surgery planning, then follow a treatment-and-safety plan for several months.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 21–80 - NCT04996433Recruiting
Compare two talk therapy programs for treatment-resistant depression
This study compares two psychotherapy programs to help people who have ongoing, difficult-to-treat depression while in inpatient care. If you qualify, you’ll receive one of the therapy programs and be followed to see which approach helps depression symptoms more.
Berlin, State of BerlinAges 18–75 - NCT04956016Recruiting
Compare two rTMS treatments for moderate to severe depression
This study tests whether a classic type of brain stimulation (rTMS) works better or the same as a deeper version for depression that keeps coming back or is ongoing. You may be offered one of the two stimulation options to see which helps reduce depressive symptoms.
PoitiersAges 18 years+ - NCT04480918Recruiting
Registry for people with depression or bipolar to receive psychiatry care
This is a patient registry that enrolls people being evaluated for treatment options from an Interventional Psychiatry Service. It helps track patients with depression, bipolar disorder, or treatment-resistant OCD who are suitable for these psychiatry treatments.
Iowa City, IowaAges 18–99 - NCT03973268RecruitingPhase 1
Ketamine study to understand treatment response in hard-to-treat depression
This early-stage study tests ketamine and looks at what brain changes may explain why it helps people with major depression that hasn’t improved with usual treatments. You may be asked to stay in the hospital and complete detailed interviews, mood rating scales, and brain imaging.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–70 - 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+ - 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 - NCT02122562RecruitingPhase 2
Ketamine treatment for depression that hasn’t responded to care
This Phase 2 study tests ketamine for people with major depression that hasn’t improved after at least one antidepressant. It aims to see whether ketamine can reduce depression symptoms during a current depressive episode.
Iowa City, IowaAges 18–55
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for depressive disorder, treatment-resistant?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 85 recruiting depressive disorder, treatment-resistant 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 depressive disorder, treatment-resistant 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 depressive disorder, treatment-resistant 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.