Clinical trials
Major Depression clinical trials
Below are recruiting major depression clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 456 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT07159061Recruiting
Brain training for depression using neurofeedback
This study tests whether a brain training technique called neurofeedback can help treat depression. By showing your brain activity in real time on a screen, you may learn to control the brain patterns linked to depression and feel better.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18–65 - NCT07328373Recruiting
Depression Relapse Predictors Study
This trial looks at brain and genetic markers to understand why depression returns. It is for people with major depression who are not currently taking medication.
IstanbulAges 18–65 - 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 - NCT06311136Recruiting
Mood support through a smartphone app
This trial tests a smartphone-based program designed to help people manage their emotions in the moment. It may be especially helpful if you currently have mild to moderate depression.
HeidelbergAges 18–65 - NCT06671977RecruitingPhase 1
Safety and effects of DMT in healthy adults and those with depression
This trial studies the safety and effects of DMT, a psychedelic compound, in healthy volunteers and people with major depressive disorder (MDD) who haven't responded well to antidepressants. It aims to see how DMT affects the brain and mood.
West Haven, ConnecticutAges 21–65 - NCT04935619Recruiting
Testing cannabis abstinence effects in depression symptoms
This study looks at how stopping cannabis for a period of time may affect depression symptoms and thinking/memory. You might benefit by getting close monitoring of mood and cognition while researchers compare changes during cannabis abstinence.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–55 - 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 - NCT05745194Recruiting
Mediterranean diet study for depression with inflammation
This study tests whether a Mediterranean-style diet can improve depression symptoms in people who have depression and higher inflammation in their blood. It may help by targeting nutrition-related inflammation that can worsen mood for some people.
Loures, Lisbon DistrictAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT06309472RecruitingPhase 2
Mirtazapine for depression in inflammatory bowel disease
This trial tests whether the antidepressant mirtazapine can help people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who also have moderate or severe depression. If you are at least 18 and your IBD treatment is stable, this study could see if this medication improves your mood without interfering with your gut condition.
LondonAges 18–125 - NCT06452849Recruiting
Brain magnetic stimulation treatment for teen depression
This trial is testing a non-invasive treatment that uses safe magnetic pulses to stimulate specific parts of the brain in teens with moderate to severe depression. The goal is to see if this can help improve mood without medication changes.
Shanghai, Shanghai MunicipalityAges 14–18 - NCT06658795Recruiting
Can brain stimulation help older adults with depression and loneliness?
This study tests whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) can reduce loneliness in older adults with depression. It involves wearing a headband during sessions and comparing results to a placebo group.
Guangzhou, GuangdongAges 60–80 - NCT06972368Recruiting
Home brain stimulation for depression in borderline personality disorder
This trial tests whether a gentle brain stimulation device (tDCS) used at home can help with depression in people with borderline personality disorder. If you have BPD and current depression, you may be able to participate from home using your smartphone.
Montreal, QuebecAges 18–65 - NCT03736538Enrolling by invitationPhase 1
Nitrous oxide for suicidal thoughts in depression
This Phase 1 study tests whether breathing nitrous oxide can safely reduce suicidal thoughts in adults with major depression. It may help people whose depression is causing moderate to severe suicidal thinking, by studying a fast-acting treatment approach.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18–65 - NCT05553353Recruiting
Repeated brain stimulation for depression after spinal cord injury
This study tests a non-drug treatment called repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to reduce depression symptoms in people with depression after a spinal cord injury. You might be eligible if you have ongoing major depression and can safely receive magnetic pulses to the head.
Charleston, South CarolinaAges 18–60 - NCT06724666Recruiting
Online therapy for teens with anxiety or depression
This study tests an online therapy program for teens aged 13–17 who feel anxious, depressed, or both. The program is designed to help you understand and manage these feelings through short, internet-based sessions, and you can do it from home.
Cluj-NapocaAges 13–17 - NCT05076214Recruiting
Exercise group for teens with mild to moderate depression
This study compares a structured aerobic exercise group to a more relaxed leisure activity group for adolescents with mild to moderate depression. It aims to see whether exercise can help improve mood when earlier basic support didn’t work well enough.
HalmstadAges 13–17 - NCT06398496Recruiting
Exercise, gut health, mood in depression
This trial studies whether a 12-week exercise program can improve gut bacteria, mood, and thinking in people with depression. It may help if you are looking for a non-medication way to support your mental health.
Cork, Cork CountyAges 18–59 - NCT06389175Enrolling by invitation
Non-invasive ear stimulation for depression
This study uses a gentle, non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve in your ear to see if it can improve how your stomach and brain communicate, which may help with depression symptoms.
BonnAges 18–55 - NCT07028216Recruiting
Mindful Self-Compassion for Anxiety and Depression
This study tests whether a program called Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) can help people with anxiety or depression who tend to be hard on themselves. You will be assigned to learn MSC either in a group class or online.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 18–65 - NCT04582916RecruitingPhase 1
PET scan study of inflammation in major depression
This Phase 1 study uses a PET brain scan to look at inflammation-related activity (cyclooxygenase) in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). It may help researchers better understand how depression is connected to inflammation in the brain.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT04685148RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of mental health treatment during pregnancy
This trial studies a treatment aimed at improving maternal mental health during pregnancy. It focuses on people who have had depression around pregnancy before, and checks whether the approach is safe and helpful for them.
CopenhagenAges 18–45 - 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+
Hear when a new Major Depression trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depression?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 456 recruiting major depression 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 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 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.