Clinical trials · California
Major Depression clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 68 recruiting major depression studies with a site in California — including Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT05598034Recruiting
Brain stimulation with tDCS for moderate depression
This study tests whether a noninvasive brain stimulation called tDCS can improve depression symptoms. It also uses MRI scans, aiming to understand how brain changes may relate to symptom improvement.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 20–55 - NCT06572683Enrolling by invitation
Novel TMS for hard-to-treat depression
This trial tests a new type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for people with severe depression that hasn't improved with multiple medications or therapy. It uses a different frequency pattern to target brain circuits.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 21–75 - NCT07025720Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression and suicide risk in young people
This study tests a new type of brain stimulation called TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) for young people ages 15-25 who are having serious depression and suicidal thoughts. The goal is to see if this treatment can help reduce risk and improve mood.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 15–25 - NCT06091527Recruiting
Yoga as a treatment for major depression
This trial tests whether practicing yoga alone (without medication or therapy) can help treat major depression. You would attend yoga sessions and learn how it affects your mood.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07484217RecruitingPhase 3
Testing solriamfetol for depression with daytime sleepiness
This study tests if the drug solriamfetol can help people with major depression who also feel very tired during the day. It aims to improve both mood and daytime sleepiness.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 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 - NCT06512324Enrolling by invitation
TMS with remote viewing for depression and anxiety
This trial tests whether adding 'remote viewing' (a technique where a person tries to perceive a distant target) to standard TMS brain stimulation can improve depression and anxiety symptoms. It is for people already getting TMS and who can attend weekly visits.
Encinitas, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT07127913Recruiting
Closed-loop brain stimulation for hard-to-treat bipolar depression
This trial tests a closed-loop deep brain stimulation system for people with bipolar II disorder whose depression has not responded to standard treatments. The device sends targeted electrical pulses to the brain based on real-time activity, aiming to reduce depression symptoms.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–70 - NCT06656416RecruitingPhase 2
ALTO-100 for bipolar depression
This trial tests an investigational drug called ALTO-100 in people with bipolar I or II who are currently experiencing depression. It looks at whether this new medicine can help improve depression symptoms when taken alongside your usual mood stabilizer or antipsychotic medication.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT07294924Recruiting
Predicting depression treatment response with brain imaging
This study uses a special brain-imaging headband to see if it can predict how well people with depression respond to a treatment called accelerated rTMS (a type of brain stimulation). It compares results with people who do not have depression.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT06376734RecruitingPhase 2
TMS for depression, anxiety, OCD, or schizophrenia
This study tests whether a brain stimulation technique called TMS can help people with depression, anxiety, OCD, or schizophrenia. It aims to find better ways to target the treatment for each person's specific needs.
Sunnyvale, CaliforniaAges 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.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–85 - NCT05645575Recruiting
Inpatient TMS for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests an in-hospital brain stimulation treatment (TMS) for people with moderate to severe depression who did not improve after multiple antidepressant treatments. It may help your mood by targeting brain circuits involved in depression, and you would follow an intensive accelerated schedule.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT05922878RecruitingPhase 2
ALTO-300 study for moderate to severe depression
This trial tests ALTO-300 as an add-on treatment for people with moderate to severe major depressive disorder (MDD). It aims to see whether ALTO-300 helps improve depression symptoms when you’re already on a stable antidepressant.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT05996900Recruiting
Brain stimulation study for adults with epilepsy
This study uses advanced brain monitoring and noninvasive magnetic stimulation to understand how repetitive brain stimulation works in people with epilepsy who are already scheduled for hospital monitoring. It may help develop better treatments for seizures.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT07105111RecruitingPhase 4
Valbenazine for tardive dyskinesia after other treatment
This study tests if valbenazine helps adults with tardive dyskinesia whose symptoms continue even after taking or stopping another similar medication. Tardive dyskinesia involves uncontrollable movements from long-term use of certain mental health drugs.
Fountain Valley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07369180Enrolling by invitation
TMS for treatment-resistant depression in adults
This study tests a new type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for adults whose depression hasn't gotten better with medication. It compares the real treatment to a sham (inactive) version to see how well it works.
Campbell, CaliforniaAges 22–85 - NCT06823024Enrolling by invitation
Using speech patterns to predict treatment response in depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder
This study tests if a computer algorithm can analyze your speech to predict how well you will respond to treatments like TMS or Spravato. It aims to create a simple tool that helps doctors choose the right treatment for you.
Sunnyvale, CaliforniaAges 18–68 - NCT04040062Enrolling by invitation
Tested deep brain–stimulating treatment for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests a specialized type of magnetic brain stimulation (spectral TMS) to treat severe major depression when standard treatments haven’t worked. You may be eligible if you’ve tried several antidepressants and other add-on treatments but still have symptoms.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT04870255Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression in borderline personality disorder
This study tests a type of brain stimulation called rTMS to see if it can help improve mood in people who have both depression and borderline personality disorder. It may offer a new treatment option for those who haven't tried TMS before.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–80
Major Depression trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting major depression studies listed above.
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 4 studies
- Acacia Clinics · 3 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 3 studies
- 6069
- Adverum Clinical Site 215
- Clinical Research Site
- Clinical Site
- Inland Psychiatric Medical Group
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.
Major Depression trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there major depression clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 68 recruiting major depression studies with a site in California, 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 in California?
- 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 California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, 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 in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
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.