Clinical trials
Major Depression Disorder clinical trials
Below are recruiting major depression disorder clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 504 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05543083Recruiting
Therapy plus exercise for teens at risk of type 2 diabetes
This trial tests whether a combination of coaching (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and exercise can improve mood and help teens who are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. It may be especially helpful if you’re dealing with depression symptoms and a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Aurora, ColoradoAges 12–17 - NCT05491538Recruiting
Work-focused social skills training for veterans with mental illness
This study tests a program to help veterans with serious mental illness improve social skills for work and find jobs near the VA. It aims to see if the program is acceptable and feasible for participants.
Minneapolis, MinnesotaAges 18 years+ - NCT05487911Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression
This study uses a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat depression. It may help reduce depressive symptoms for people who have not found relief from other treatments.
Houston, TexasAges 18–64 - NCT05437588Recruiting
Blood-based biomarkers for suicide risk in teens with depression
This study looks at tiny blood particles (exosomes) and specific microRNAs to see if they can signal suicide risk and predict treatment outcomes in adolescents. If you qualify, your blood may be used to help researchers find better ways to understand and track suicidality and depression treatment response.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 10–24 - NCT05232032RecruitingPhase 2
Brain scan and medication study for avoiding versus approaching
This Phase 2 study looks at how a medication affects brain activity and real-life mood or anxiety behaviors. It includes people with major depression or several anxiety disorders and also healthy volunteers, using questionnaires, a smartphone, and brain imaging.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 18–45 - NCT05142683Recruiting
Test an integrated care plan for teens with depression
This study tests whether a structured, coordinated care pathway helps teens (and their caregivers) manage depression better than usual care. It aims to see if targeted treatment and follow-up improve depression symptoms over time.
Toronto, OntarioAges 13–18 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT04999553Recruiting
Comparing brain stimulation on left vs right side for depression
This study tests whether delivering a type of brain stimulation to the left side of the head is as effective as delivering it to the right side for treating major depression. The treatment is called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood.
Vancouver, British ColumbiaAges 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT04159662Recruiting
Brain scans to study thinking in schizophrenia and depression
This study uses brain imaging to better understand how thinking works in people with schizophrenia or major depression. Your results may help researchers learn what brain patterns match different thinking and symptoms.
Ottawa, OntarioAges 18–60 - NCT04041479RecruitingPhase 3
Brain-scan guided rTMS for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests whether using brain-related “biomarkers” from your scans to guide rTMS can improve depression that hasn’t responded to at least one antidepressant. It may help by targeting brain circuits linked to depression more precisely.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 22–65 - 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+ - 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
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depression disorder?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 504 recruiting major depression disorder 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 major depression disorder 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 major depression disorder 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.