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 508 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05877885Recruiting
Digital treatment for low motivation in older adults with depression
This study tests a digital therapy to improve apathy (feeling unmotivated or “checked out”) in people age 60+ who have depression. It also uses brain imaging (MRI) and questionnaires to see whether the treatment helps brain function linked to motivation.
Orlando, FloridaAges 60 years+ - NCT05892744RecruitingPhase 4
Testing brain scans to help choose depression treatment
This trial studies how brain signals measured by MRI and EEG may help doctors choose the best treatment for depression. It focuses on people with early-onset, long-lasting or recurring major depression, and tests whether these “brain biomarkers” track with treatment choice and response.
Austin, TexasAges 18–65 - NCT05895747RecruitingPhase 2
5-HTP and creatine for adults with depression symptoms
This Phase 2 study tests whether adding 5-HTP and creatine can reduce depression symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. It may help if your current depression treatment hasn’t been fully effective and you meet the safety and medical criteria.
Salt Lake City, UtahAges 18–65 - NCT05909267Recruiting
Testing dopamine-targeted treatment for depression and body inflammation
This study looks at how changing dopamine signaling may affect motivation and movement in people with major depression, and it also involves healthy volunteers. It may help researchers understand whether dopamine changes can improve symptoms and how inflammation may relate to brain function.
SteglitzAges 18–65 - NCT05913960Recruiting
Theta-burst brain stimulation for major depression
This study tests whether an “accelerated intermittent theta-burst” brain stimulation treatment can improve major depressive disorder by affecting brain signaling pathways. You may be a candidate if you have moderate-to-severe depression and can safely undergo brain MRI.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 12–45 - NCT05915013RecruitingPhase 1
Brain-targeting study of ketamine response in treatment-resistant depression
This early-stage study looks at how parts of brain cells respond to ketamine in people with depression who have not improved with usual antidepressants. It may help researchers find why ketamine works for some people and not others, and who might benefit.
New Haven, ConnecticutAges 18–60 - NCT05925322Recruiting
Social reward therapy for depression-related suicidal thoughts
This study looks at whether “social reward” psychotherapy can change brain activity and reduce suicidal thoughts in adults ages 50–80 who also have major depression. You may be offered psychotherapy along with brain scans to see how your brain responds over time.
New York, New YorkAges 50–80 - NCT05961306Recruiting
Testing a stepped screening plan during pregnancy and after birth
This study checks how well a step-by-step screening approach and its tools work for identifying issues during pregnancy (weeks 20–24) or in early postpartum (6–10 weeks after delivery). It may help doctors use more accurate screening to decide who needs further care.
Ghent, Oost-VlaanderenAges 18 years+ - NCT05973851RecruitingPhase 3
Six-week medicine boost for depression after first treatment failure
This study tests a more intensive antidepressant medicine approach for people whose first tried treatment didn’t work well enough. It compares the intensified treatment with usual care, aiming to improve depression symptoms and daily functioning.
InnsbruckAges 18–65 - NCT05988333Recruiting
Family support program for major depression
This trial tests a psychoeducational program for families living with a person who has major depression. It aims to help everyone understand the illness and improve coping.
NaplesAges 18–65 - NCT06005194Recruiting
Exercise therapy via telehealth for depression after brain injury
This study tests whether an exercise program delivered through video calls can help treat major depression in people who have had a traumatic brain injury. If you are at least one year past your injury and have symptoms of depression, you may be able to join.
Seattle, WashingtonAges 18–64 - NCT06045897Recruiting
EEG brain test for young people at risk of psychosis
This study uses a short EEG recording to look at brain activity patterns in young people with early signs of mental health conditions, including those at risk for psychosis, first episode psychosis, depression, or autism. It aims to find brain markers that could help identify people who might benefit from early treatment.
ParisAges 15–30 - NCT06054321Recruiting
Depression medication study for adults 19 to 65
This study tests a new way of choosing antidepressants for people with major depression. It's designed for adults aged 19–65 who have moderate to severe depression and are either starting a new antidepressant or have been off psychiatric meds for at least a month.
GwangjuAges 19–65 - NCT06070766Recruiting
At-home ketamine study for chronic conditions
This trial tests a ketamine protocol you can use at home. It may help if you have a long-term health condition.
Bigfork, MontanaAges 18 years+ - NCT06072898RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin brain imaging trial for depression
This study tests whether a single dose of psilocybin (a psychedelic compound) can help treat depression by looking at brain changes on MRI. It is designed for people with moderate-to-severe depression who have not responded well to other treatments.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–64 - NCT06076317Recruiting
Telemedicine monitoring for depression after hospitalization
This trial tests whether regular video check-ins with a psychiatrist can improve recovery after a hospital stay for depression. You may be eligible if you started or changed an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication while in the hospital and can use a computer or smartphone for video calls.
ParisAges 18 years+ - NCT06080646Recruiting
Depression and Reward Processing Brain Study
This study uses brain scans (MRI) to understand how people with depression process rewards, aiming to identify different depression subtypes. You may join if you have depression or if you are a healthy volunteer.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT06086366Recruiting
Brain scan study for depression after COVID-19
This study uses brain scans to understand depression that starts soon after COVID-19. Researchers want to see if there are changes in brain chemistry related to depression, and you may help find new treatment targets.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–75 - NCT06093906Recruiting
Positive processes and transition to health (PATH) study
This study tests a new therapy that may help people recover after a stressful life event. Over about 6 weeks, you'll work with a coach to retrain your brain's patterns and feel more in control again, as well as reconnect with positive activities.
Newark, DelawareAges 18–65 - NCT06110897Recruiting
Resistance Exercise for Depression Trial
This study tests whether resistance exercise (like lifting weights) can help reduce depression symptoms. If you have major depression and are not already doing regular resistance training, you may be able to join.
Ames, IowaAges 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 - NCT06132581Recruiting
Brain stimulation for pleasure loss in depression
This study tests a new type of brain stimulation to see if it can help people with depression who have lost the ability to feel pleasure. It uses MRI scans to guide the treatment and may help improve motivation and goal-setting.
Tallahassee, FloridaAges 18–65 - NCT06152705Recruiting
fMRI-Guided vs. Standard Brain Stimulation for Depression
This study compares two types of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat depression. One type uses a brain scan (fMRI) to guide the treatment, while the other uses a standard approach. It may help people whose depression hasn't improved with medication.
Ottawa, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT06163625Recruiting
Brain activity and memory in treatment-resistant depression
This study looks at how the brain's frontal lobe (DLPFC) works during memory tasks in people with treatment-resistant depression. It compares brain activity between depressed patients and healthy controls using MRI and possibly a brain stimulation technique (rTMS). It aims to understand why some people don't respond to standard treatments.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depression disorder?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 508 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.