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 505 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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 - 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 - NCT03601026Recruiting
Genetic counseling for youth using cannabis safely
This study offers genetic counseling to help reduce mental health problems that can happen for some young people who use cannabis. You join if you are already part of the FORBOW study and fit their age and mental-health criteria.
Halifax, Nova ScotiaAges 12–21 - 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 - NCT03953014Recruiting
Genetic study of antidepressant side effects in young people
This trial studies whether genes (using a saliva sample) can help explain why some young people feel more “disinhibited” after taking antidepressants like SSRIs. If you’ve had depression, anxiety, or OCD and have used an SSRI, your information and genetics may help improve how antidepressants are chosen and monitored.
Calgary, AlbertaAges 6–17 - 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 - 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 - NCT07703722RecruitingPhase 3
Psilocybin and therapy for depression with trauma
This trial tests psilocybin (a compound from certain mushrooms) combined with a structured therapy to see if it helps people with depression linked to trauma. It focuses on how the treatment affects the connection between the gut and brain.
Islamabad, CapitalAges 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 - 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+ - 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 - 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+ - NCT04296604Recruiting
tDCS brain stimulation to improve thinking and mood
This study tests whether a non-surgical brain stimulation called tDCS can improve “executive function,” which means skills like planning, focus, and decision-making. It is designed for people with several mental health and substance-use conditions, and it may help you if those skills are affected by your diagnosis.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT04637620RecruitingPhase 2
NMDA-based treatment study for major depression
This Phase 2 trial tests whether an NMDA-targeted treatment can improve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). You may be able to join if your depression diagnosis and symptom score fit, and you meet several safety and study-following requirements.
TaichungAges 18–55 - NCT04685148RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of mental health treatment during pregnancy
This trial studies a treatment aimed at improving maternal mental health during pregnancy. It focuses on people who have had depression around pregnancy before, and checks whether the approach is safe and helpful for them.
CopenhagenAges 18–45 - 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 - 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 - NCT07562191RecruitingPhase 2
Inhaled DMT for major depression
This trial tests if inhaling DMT can help treat moderate to severe major depression. You may qualify if your depression has lasted at least two weeks and you have not changed medications recently.
Fortaleza, CearáAges 18 years+ - NCT00018057RecruitingPhase 2
Brain study of pediatric anxiety disorders
This study looks at how the brain works in children and adults with anxiety disorders. It uses brain scans (fMRI) and other safe tests to understand anxiety better.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 8–65 - NCT07161700Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Long-term safety study of SPT-300 for major depression
This study is for people who finished the earlier BUOY-1 study of SPT-300 and want to continue treatment. It tests the long-term safety and tolerability of SPT-300 for major depressive disorder, with or without anxious distress.
Chino, CaliforniaAges 18–66
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depression disorder?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 505 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.