Clinical trials · Boston, MA
Major Depression clinical trials in Boston
We’re tracking 48 recruiting major depression studies with a site in or near Boston — including Early Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies near Boston
- NCT06968390Recruiting
Faster TMS for depression during pregnancy or after childbirth
This trial tests a faster form of TMS (brain stimulation) for people with depression who are pregnant (14-34 weeks) or within one year of giving birth. It aims to see if the treatment is safe and well-tolerated.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–55 - NCT07076407RecruitingPhase 3
Testing a new antidepressant pill for depression
This study tests an experimental oral pill called azetukalner against a placebo to see if it safely reduces symptoms of major depressive disorder. It is for adults who are currently in a depressive episode lasting 6 weeks to 2 years and have not already tried multiple antidepressants that failed.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–74 - 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 - NCT06605105Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
Long-term extension trial of CYB003 for depression
This long-term study is for people who already completed an earlier trial of the experimental drug CYB003 for major depression and who stayed on their regular antidepressant. It looks at the safety and effects of taking CYB003 again over many months.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–85 - 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+ - NCT05570812RecruitingPhase 2
Pregnenolone to improve depressed mood in people with HIV
This Phase 2 trial tests a brain-acting steroid called pregnenolone to help reduce depressed mood. It studies whether it can improve mood in adults with HIV who are already on HIV treatment and still have depression symptoms.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–85 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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+ - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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+ - 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 - 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 - NCT07227454RecruitingPhase 3
Esketamine for teens with severe depression and suicidal thoughts
This trial tests if esketamine (a nasal spray) can quickly reduce symptoms of major depression and suicidal thoughts in teenagers who need urgent hospital care.
East Providence, Rhode IslandAges 12–17 - NCT06880796Enrolling by invitation
Mindfulness therapy for serious mental illness
This trial tests whether mindfulness-based therapy helps people with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia or mood disorders. You'll learn mindfulness skills in a group setting at your community mental health center.
Providence, Rhode IslandAges 18 years+ - NCT06982820Recruiting
Brain training therapy for depression with loss of interest
This trial tests a new type of brain training (self-neuromodulation) to help people with major depression who also have a significant loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia). If you qualify, you may get a non-invasive treatment that uses real-time brain feedback to improve symptoms.
Providence, Rhode IslandAges 22–75 - NCT05703412Enrolling by invitation
Text or app check-ins after discharge for serious mental illness
This study tests an mHealth (phone-based) program that helps people with serious mental illness after leaving the hospital. It may help you stay connected to care and support in the community after discharge.
Providence, Rhode IslandAges 18 years+
Hear when a new Major Depression trial opens near Boston, MA
We’ll email you when one opens near Boston, MA — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.
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 · 5 studies
- Adams Clinical · 4 studies
- ActivMed Practices and Research · 3 studies
- Butler Hospital · 3 studies
- Vitalix Clinical · 3 studies
- 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 48 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.