Clinical trials · California
Depressive Disorder clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 79 recruiting depressive disorder studies with a site in California — including Phase 2, Phase 2/Phase 3, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT07022405RecruitingPhase 2
Medication study for depression with brain scans
This study tests whether a targeted medication can improve mood and brain function in adults with major depression. If you qualify, you'll receive a study drug and have fMRI brain scans to see how your brain responds.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - 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 - 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+ - NCT06345859RecruitingPhase 2
Brain and emotion study for young adults with or without depression history
This study looks at how the brain regulates mood and body signals in young adults ages 18-27. It includes people who have had depression in the past but are now well, as well as healthy volunteers with no psychiatric history.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–27 - NCT07242105Recruiting
Improving brain activity in depression
This study tests if a type of brain stimulation (TMS) can improve brain function in people with depression. It also includes a small group of epilepsy patients who are already having brain monitoring. The goal is to find new ways to treat depression by targeting specific brain areas.
Iowa City, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT07300969RecruitingPhase 2
Testing DT-101 for adults with depression
This trial tests a new medicine called DT-101 to see if it helps people with depression. It is for adults who have had more than one depressive episode in their life.
Oceanside, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT07217860Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
Long-term safety study of azetukalner for bipolar depression
This study is looking at the long-term safety of azetukalner for people with bipolar I or II depression who have already completed a previous trial of this drug. It is an open-label study, meaning everyone will receive the active medication.
Culver City, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT06656416RecruitingPhase 2
ALTO-100 for bipolar depression
This trial tests an investigational drug called ALTO-100 in people with bipolar I or II who are currently experiencing depression. It looks at whether this new medicine can help improve depression symptoms when taken alongside your usual mood stabilizer or antipsychotic medication.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT07217223Recruiting
Home-based brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS can help people with depression that hasn't improved with medication. It can be done at home using a special headset and an internet connection.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–85 - 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.
Oceanside, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT05598034Recruiting
Brain stimulation with tDCS for moderate depression
This study tests whether a noninvasive brain stimulation called tDCS can improve depression symptoms. It also uses MRI scans, aiming to understand how brain changes may relate to symptom improvement.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 20–55 - NCT07025720Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression and suicide risk in young people
This study tests a new type of brain stimulation called TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) for young people ages 15-25 who are having serious depression and suicidal thoughts. The goal is to see if this treatment can help reduce risk and improve mood.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 15–25 - NCT07484217RecruitingPhase 3
Testing solriamfetol for depression with daytime sleepiness
This study tests if the drug solriamfetol can help people with major depression who also feel very tired during the day. It aims to improve both mood and daytime sleepiness.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT04356274Enrolling by invitation
Improving access to addiction and mental health care at VA clinics
This study tests an approach to help VA clinics reach more Veterans with proven treatments for addiction and mental health conditions. It focuses on clinic-level processes (not individual medications) to increase how widely evidence-based care is delivered.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07294924Recruiting
Predicting depression treatment response with brain imaging
This study uses a special brain-imaging headband to see if it can predict how well people with depression respond to a treatment called accelerated rTMS (a type of brain stimulation). It compares results with people who do not have depression.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT07369180Enrolling by invitation
TMS for treatment-resistant depression in adults
This study tests a new type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for adults whose depression hasn't gotten better with medication. It compares the real treatment to a sham (inactive) version to see how well it works.
Campbell, CaliforniaAges 22–85 - NCT04040062Enrolling by invitation
Tested deep brain–stimulating treatment for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests a specialized type of magnetic brain stimulation (spectral TMS) to treat severe major depression when standard treatments haven’t worked. You may be eligible if you’ve tried several antidepressants and other add-on treatments but still have symptoms.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting depressive disorder studies listed above.
- Stanford University · 3 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 3 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 3 studies
- Clinical Research Site · 2 studies
- Research Site · 2 studies
- 6069
- Acacia Clinics
- Draig Clinical Site
What taking part in a depressive disorder 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.
Depressive Disorder trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there depressive disorder clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 79 recruiting depressive disorder 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 depressive disorder 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 depressive disorder 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 depressive disorder 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.