Clinical trials · Boston, MA
Major Depression clinical trials in Boston
We’re tracking 52 recruiting major depression studies with a site in or near Boston — including Early Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies near Boston
- NCT06786624RecruitingPhase 3
Testing a new drug for depression that hasn't fully responded to treatment
This trial tests a new medication called NBI-1065845 added to your current antidepressant for people with depression that hasn't fully responded to treatment. It aims to see if this combination can better improve your symptoms.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–85 - NCT07775300RecruitingPhase 3
Study of an injectable drug for major depressive disorder
This study tests an investigational drug called brenipatide for major depressive disorder. It is given as a self-injection and is being compared to a placebo to see if it helps improve depression symptoms in people who are already on standard treatment.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–75 - NCT06830044RecruitingPhase 3
Adding an experimental drug for major depression
This trial tests if adding a new medicine called milsaperidone can help people with major depression who haven't gotten enough relief from their current antidepressant. It aims to see if the combination works better than the antidepressant alone.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT07573176RecruitingPhase 3
Seltorexant for Depression in Adults and Older Adults
This study tests a new medication called seltorexant as a standalone treatment for major depression. The trial is for adults and older adults who have depression that hasn't improved with other antidepressants or who haven't tried them yet.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–74 - NCT07610928Recruiting
Stress management and gentle movement for Asian Americans with depression
This study tests whether learning stress management and gentle movement (like Tai Chi or Qigong) can help Asian Americans with depression and physical symptoms. It may offer a way to feel better that you can do from home in online group sessions.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06633016RecruitingPhase 2
ABX-002 for major depression (add-on treatment)
This trial tests a new medication called ABX-002 as an add-on to your current antidepressant. It's for people with moderate to severe depression who haven't gotten enough help from their current antidepressant alone.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT06547489RecruitingPhase 2
Testing zelquistinel for major depression
This study tests whether zelquistinel, an investigational drug, can reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder (a type of clinical depression). It is for people who are currently experiencing a moderate to severe depressive episode and are not taking other antidepressants.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–64 - 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT06247839RecruitingPhase 3
Psilocybin for depression: changing self-focus
This trial tests whether a single dose of psilocybin can help people with treatment-resistant depression by changing how they focus on themselves. It aims to understand how psilocybin affects brain activity and self-related thinking.
Charlestown, MassachusettsAges 18–55 - NCT06792175Enrolling by invitation
Using speech to detect mental health conditions
This study uses a computer program to listen to your speech and see if it can help detect mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. It may help find new ways to diagnose conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and others earlier.
Brookline, MassachusettsAges 13–60 - NCT07284667RecruitingPhase 2
A new medicine for depression that hasn't improved with other treatments
This trial tests a new medicine called ACP-211 in adults with major depression who have not gotten enough relief from at least two previous antidepressants. The goal is to see if it can help when other treatments have not worked well.
Watertown, MassachusettsAges 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.
Watertown, MassachusettsAges 18–75 - 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 - 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 - NCT07758010Recruiting
Brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests a type of brain stimulation called cTBS (continuous theta burst stimulation) applied to a specific part of the brain (the precuneus) to see if it helps with treatment-resistant depression. It aims to provide a new option for people who haven't found relief from standard treatments.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05630963Recruiting
Study sleep-like brain signaling in major depression
This trial looks at how a specific brain receptor related to pain signals (nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor) may be involved in depression. It may help researchers understand depression better by comparing people with current versus past (remitted) major depression.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 18–45 - NCT07560878RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Brain Stimulation and Medication Study for Depression
This early-stage study tests a type of magnetic brain stimulation called theta burst stimulation combined with study medications to help treat moderate to severe depression. Researchers want to understand how this combination affects brain communication and may help reduce depressive symptoms.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06816329Recruiting
Stress and depression risk study for teenage girls
This study looks at how stress affects teenage girls who may be at higher risk for depression due to a parent's history. It involves MRI scans and daily surveys on a cell phone.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 13–15 - NCT07195721Recruiting
How special contact lenses affect mental health
This study looks at whether PROSE or scleral lenses can improve mental health in people with certain eye surface conditions. It may be a good fit if you have a dry eye or related disease and are considering these lenses.
Needham, MassachusettsAges Any age - NCT05850689RecruitingPhase 3
Lumateperone add-on for major depression that didn’t improve
This study tests whether adding lumateperone to an antidepressant helps adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who haven’t improved enough after trying at least two different antidepressants. It may help reduce depressive symptoms more than antidepressants alone.
Methuen, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT07621237RecruitingPhase 2
TNX-102 SL for Major Depressive Disorder
This study tests whether a new medication called TNX-102 SL can reduce depression symptoms better than a placebo (inactive pill). You'll take the medication daily and have regular check-ins to see how you're doing.
Methuen, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07115329RecruitingPhase 2
Testing Zelquistinel for major depression
This study tests a new oral medication called Zelquistinel (taken as a tablet) against a placebo for treating major depressive disorder. Researchers want to see if it can reduce depression symptoms, especially when other antidepressants haven't been tried or haven't worked.
Worcester, MassachusettsAges 18–64 - NCT06656416RecruitingPhase 2
Study of ALTO-100 for bipolar depression
This study tests an investigational drug called ALTO-100 for people with bipolar disorder who are currently experiencing depression. It aims to see if ALTO-100 can help improve depressive symptoms when added to your current mood stabilizer or antipsychotic medication.
Worcester, MassachusettsAges 18–70
Hear when a new Major Depression trial opens near Boston, MA
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Major Depression trials in other cities
Where these studies are running near Boston
Institutions with a site for the recruiting major depression studies listed above.
- McLean Hospital · 6 studies
- Adams Clinical · 4 studies
- Vitalix Clinical · 2 studies
- ActivMed Practices & Research, LLC
- Activmed Practices & Research, Llc - Methuen
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
- Autobahn Site #137
- Autobahn Site #138
What taking part in a major depression 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.
Common questions
- Are there major depression clinical trials near Boston?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 52 recruiting major depression studies with a site near Boston, 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 major depression study near Boston?
- 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 Boston to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site near Boston, 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 major depression 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 major depression studies open near Boston regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.