Clinical trials
Major Depression clinical trials
Below are recruiting major depression clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 453 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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 - NCT07444242Recruiting
Fast depression treatment using brain stimulation
This trial tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can quickly improve depression symptoms. It is for people who are not taking any psychiatric medications now or in the past.
Regensburg, BavariaAges 18–70 - NCT07221929Recruiting
Exercise plus CBT for depression: The CBT+ Trial
This study tests whether adding exercise before standard talk therapy (CBT) helps treat depression more effectively than CBT alone. You will be asked to do moderate exercise and then receive CBT sessions over 8 weeks.
Madison, WisconsinAges 18–65 - 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 - 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 - 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+ - 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+ - 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 - NCT02122562RecruitingPhase 2
Ketamine treatment for depression that hasn’t responded to care
This Phase 2 study tests ketamine for people with major depression that hasn’t improved after at least one antidepressant. It aims to see whether ketamine can reduce depression symptoms during a current depressive episode.
Iowa City, IowaAges 18–55 - NCT07681492Recruiting
Depression, aging, and antidepressants: a belief study
This trial studies how depression and antidepressants affect belief updating in older adults. You may join if you are over 65, have major depression, and are starting a new antidepressant. The goal is to learn more about how your brain adjusts beliefs over time.
RennesAges 65 years+ - NCT05616559Recruiting
Precision-guided treatment for single-episode depression
This study tests a more personalized approach to treating depression in people who have had one episode. It uses questionnaires and brain scans (for some participants) to help decide which treatment approach may work best.
CopenhagenAges 18–65 - NCT06626152RecruitingPhase 2
L-DOPA challenge test for depression in older adults
This study tests whether a medication called L-DOPA (used for Parkinson's disease) can help predict how well older adults with depression will respond to treatment. You will take a single dose of L-DOPA and then do simple tasks to measure your mood and thinking.
Vancouver, British ColumbiaAges 60 years+ - NCT06719427RecruitingPhase 1
Brain waves study for depression treatment with rTMS
This study looks at brain wave patterns in people with depression who are receiving a type of brain stimulation called rTMS. It aims to understand how the brain changes during recovery, which may help improve future treatments.
North York, OntarioAges 18–80 - NCT07247344Recruiting
Depression in hospitalized teens: a brain study
This study looks at brain and behavior in teens aged 10–20 who are hospitalized for depression or bipolar disorder. It aims to better understand the condition and may help guide future treatments.
Nanjing, JiangsuAges 10–20 - NCT07087353Recruiting
Remote monitoring for moderate to severe depression
This study tests whether checking in with a mental health team remotely (using your phone) can help people with moderate to severe depression feel better. It’s designed for people who are already getting treatment and want extra support from home.
BesançonAges 18 years+ - 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 - NCT05773755Recruiting
Brain stimulation surgery for treatment-resistant depression
This trial studies whether deep brain stimulation (DBS)—a surgically placed brain device—can reduce severe, long-lasting depression that hasn’t responded to many treatments. It may help people whose depression has persisted despite trying multiple antidepressant and other evidence-based therapies.
New York, New YorkAges 25–70 - NCT05703685RecruitingPhase 1
Imaging brain inflammation target in depression with PET
This Phase 1 study uses a PET brain scan tracer to see how a specific brain target (PDE4B) is involved in major depressive disorder (MDD). It’s mainly testing whether the imaging approach works and what it shows in people with depression who meet specific safety and medication rules.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–70 - NCT05703256Recruiting
Brain training with feedback to help depression
This trial tests a type of brain training called amygdala neurofeedback to reduce depression symptoms. It may help by teaching your brain patterns to become less “stuck” in depression-related activity.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18–55 - NCT05142683Recruiting
Test an integrated care plan for teens with depression
This study tests whether a structured, coordinated care pathway helps teens (and their caregivers) manage depression better than usual care. It aims to see if targeted treatment and follow-up improve depression symptoms over time.
Toronto, OntarioAges 13–18 - NCT05437588Recruiting
Blood-based biomarkers for suicide risk in teens with depression
This study looks at tiny blood particles (exosomes) and specific microRNAs to see if they can signal suicide risk and predict treatment outcomes in adolescents. If you qualify, your blood may be used to help researchers find better ways to understand and track suicidality and depression treatment response.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 10–24 - 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+ - NCT05915013RecruitingPhase 1
Brain-targeting study of ketamine response in treatment-resistant depression
This early-stage study looks at how parts of brain cells respond to ketamine in people with depression who have not improved with usual antidepressants. It may help researchers find why ketamine works for some people and not others, and who might benefit.
New Haven, ConnecticutAges 18–60 - NCT07009223Recruiting
Lifestyle changes to prevent memory issues in depression
This study tests whether healthy lifestyle changes—like diet, exercise, or stress management—can help prevent memory and thinking problems in people with depression. It aims to find ways to protect your brain health as you age.
BresciaAges 50–80
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depression?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 453 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.