Clinical trials
Major Depression Severe clinical trials
Below are recruiting major depression severe clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 281 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT06793397RecruitingPhase 3
Study of an experimental psychedelic-like drug for depression (CYB003)
This study tests an investigational medication (CYB003) for people with major depression whose current antidepressant isn't working well enough. It looks at whether this treatment can help improve depression symptoms.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18–85 - NCT07480525Recruiting
Escitalopram for first-time depression
This trial tests whether escitalopram, a common antidepressant, helps people who are experiencing their first episode of depression and have never taken medication for it. It also looks at how the drug works in the brain.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–65 - NCT06523439Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression in young people
This study tests a new type of brain stimulation called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) in young people (ages 13-20) with depression who have not tried many treatments before. The goal is to see if this treatment can safely help reduce depression symptoms.
Austin, TexasAges 13–20 - NCT03646058RecruitingPhase 3
Add-on buprenorphine to ease suicidal thoughts in depression
This Phase 3 study tests whether adding buprenorphine to your usual pain-dose medicines can reduce severe suicidal thoughts during a major depressive episode. It may help people who are currently hospitalized or closely followed and have higher scores for both depression severity and suicidal thinking.
Bordeaux, FranceAges 18–65 - NCT06902298RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Ultrasound brain stimulation for depression
This trial tests a new, non-invasive ultrasound treatment for people with depression who haven't gotten enough relief from at least two prior treatments. It uses sound waves to gently stimulate areas of the brain linked to mood.
Salt Lake City, UtahAges 18–65 - NCT06752759RecruitingPhase 3
Ketamine mist for depression
This trial tests if a ketamine mist you breathe in can help treat moderate to severe depression. It is for adults who are not helped enough by other treatments.
Brooklyn, New YorkAges 18–88 - NCT06740396Recruiting
Depression in heart disease patients in Baghdad
This study looks at how common depression is in people with coronary artery disease and how severe it is. If you have heart disease and are being treated at a hospital in Baghdad, you can help doctors understand the link between heart health and mental health.
BaghdadAges 18 years+ - NCT06508710RecruitingPhase 3
Ketamine plus venlafaxine for severe depression
This trial tests whether adding ketamine to the antidepressant venlafaxine helps relieve severe depression faster than venlafaxine alone. If you are hospitalized for a serious depression and you meet safety criteria, you may be eligible.
Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, FranceAges 18–65 - NCT04142996Recruiting
Comparing one- vs two-side brain stimulation for depression
This trial compares two versions of a noninvasive brain treatment called rTMS to see which side-to-side approach works better for major depression. You may be eligible if you still have moderate depressive symptoms despite trying at least one antidepressant.
Ottawa, OntarioAges 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 - NCT07269964Recruiting
At-home brain stimulation for depression maintenance
This trial tests if a gentle, at-home brain stimulation treatment (tDCS) can help prevent depression from returning after successful initial treatment with esketamine, rTMS, or ECT. It is for people who are stable but want to stay well.
München, BavariaAges 18 years+ - NCT07748091Recruiting
Brain wave and inflammation markers in shock therapy for depression
This study looks at brain wave patterns and markers of inflammation in people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments and who are receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, also known as shock therapy). The goal is to understand how these markers might relate to how well ECT works.
Istanbul, BakırköyAges 18–60 - NCT07740694Recruiting
ECT study for older adults with depression
This study looks at how ECT affects brain activity and inflammation in older adults with depression. It may help researchers understand why ECT works and improve treatment.
Istanbul, BakırköyAges 55 years+ - NCT07569198RecruitingPhase 2
Ketamine plus therapy for depression with suicidal thoughts
This study tests whether ketamine (a medication) combined with a specific type of therapy called DBT can help people with treatment-resistant depression and borderline personality disorder who are having thoughts of suicide. You would receive ketamine infusions alongside structured therapy sessions over 6 months.
Toronto, OntarioAges 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 - 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+ - NCT07226011Recruiting
Fast High-Dose Brain Stimulation for Depression
This study tests a stronger, faster type of brain stimulation (called tDCS) to see if it can help treat depression. It may be a good fit if you have major depression and haven't used other brain stimulation in the past 6 months.
Charleston, South CarolinaAges 18–70 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT07696871RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Cannabidiol oil for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests if cannabidiol (CBD) oil can help people with major depression that has not improved with standard antidepressants. You will take CBD oil or a placebo while continuing your current antidepressant treatment to see if it improves your symptoms.
Tubarão, Santa CatarinaAges 18–69 - NCT06384209Recruiting
Friendship Bench Plus for Depression
This study tests whether a structured talk therapy program called the Friendship Bench can help adults with moderate to severe depression. You will have conversations with trained lay counselors who guide you through problem-solving techniques.
HarareAges 18 years+ - 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+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depression severe?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 281 recruiting major depression severe 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 severe 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 severe 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.