Clinical trials · California
Major Depressive Disorder clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 71 recruiting major depressive disorder studies with a site in California — including Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT06898879Recruiting
Working together to improve mental health care for veterans
This study is for veterans getting mental health support through VA programs. It tests a way to improve teamwork between veterans and their care teams to make the care better.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07161700Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Long-term safety study of SPT-300 for major depression
This study is for people who finished the earlier BUOY-1 study of SPT-300 and want to continue treatment. It tests the long-term safety and tolerability of SPT-300 for major depressive disorder, with or without anxious distress.
Chino, CaliforniaAges 18–66 - NCT07065240RecruitingPhase 2
Study of SPT-300 for major depression with or without anxiety
This trial tests an experimental oral medication, SPT-300, for people with major depressive disorder, even if they also have mild anxiety. The goal is to see if it helps improve mood safely.
Chino, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT07610473RecruitingPhase 2
Testing DT-101 as an add-on for depression
This trial tests if a new medication, DT-101, can help when added to your current depression treatment. It's for adults with recurrent depression who may need extra support.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04556890Recruiting
Brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain
This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to see if it can help people who have both major depression that hasn't improved with medication and chronic pain from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. It aims to reduce both depression and pain symptoms.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - 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 - NCT06911112RecruitingPhase 3
A new pill for depression when current treatment isn't working well enough
This trial tests an investigational medication (NBI-1065845) added to your current antidepressant to see if it can improve depressive symptoms. It is for people with moderate to severe depression who have not fully responded to their current antidepressant.
Glendale, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06963021RecruitingPhase 3
Study of NBI-1065845 for depression that hasn't fully responded to treatment
This trial tests an investigational drug called NBI-1065845 added to your current antidepressant. It is for people with moderate to severe depression or persistent depressive disorder who have not improved enough with oral antidepressants alone.
Chino, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07592689RecruitingPhase 3
DT120 Treatment for Major Depression
This study tests whether a new medication called DT120 can help people with moderate-to-severe depression feel better. You'd take the medication for several weeks while doctors track your mood and symptoms.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - NCT07412756RecruitingPhase 3
Brenipatide for major depressive disorder
This trial tests a new medication, Brenipatide, to see if it helps people with major depression who are already on a stable treatment. You would need to inject the study drug yourself and complete questionnaires.
Moorpark, CaliforniaAges 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.
Chino, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT07490782Recruiting
Nutrition study for college students with depression
This trial tests whether changes in diet can help improve mild to moderate depression in college students. If you are currently getting treatment or are open to it, you may be able to join.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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 - NCT07022405RecruitingPhase 2
Medication study for depression with brain scans
This study tests whether a targeted medication can improve mood and brain function in adults with major depression. If you qualify, you'll receive a study drug and have fMRI brain scans to see how your brain responds.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06775379RecruitingPhase 3
Azetukalner vs. placebo for major depression
This trial tests an investigational medication called Azetukalner against a placebo to see if it helps reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder. You may qualify if you are currently in a depressive episode that started in adulthood and have not tried or failed only a few antidepressants.
Glendale, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - 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.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - NCT06922110Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
Long-term study of azetukalner for depression
This study is for people who already completed a previous trial of azetukalner for major depressive disorder. It tests the long-term safety and effects of continuing the medication.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - NCT06966401RecruitingPhase 3
Long-term safety study of a new depression treatment
This study tests a new oral medication (NBI-1065845) added to your current antidepressant to see if it's safe and tolerable over a long period for people with depression that hasn't fully responded to treatment.
Glendale, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07196501RecruitingPhase 3
Study of a new add-on treatment for depression maintenance
This trial tests a new medication (NBI-1065845) added to your current antidepressant to see if it helps maintain improvement in depression. It is for people whose depression hasn't fully responded to their current oral antidepressant.
Oceanside, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07188623Recruiting
Virtual reality therapy for older adults with depression
This study tests if a virtual reality program can help older adults with depression become more active and feel better. You would use a VR headset at home to practice activities that improve your mood.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 65 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.
Pico Rivera, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT04004169Recruiting
Closed-loop deep brain stimulation for long-lasting depression
This study tests a special kind of brain stimulation that can adjust to your brain signals while treating major depression that has not improved with standard treatments. It may help people with severe, long-term treatment-resistant depression, but it requires brain surgery and frequent visits.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–70 - NCT04041479RecruitingPhase 3
Brain-scan guided rTMS for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests whether using brain-related “biomarkers” from your scans to guide rTMS can improve depression that hasn’t responded to at least one antidepressant. It may help by targeting brain circuits linked to depression more precisely.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 22–65
Major Depressive Disorder trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting major depressive disorder studies listed above.
- ATP Clinical Research · 5 studies
- Neurocrine Clinical Site · 4 studies
- Behavioral Research Specialists, LLC · 3 studies
- Clinical Site · 3 studies
- Excell Research Inc · 3 studies
- NRC Research Institute · 3 studies
- Stanford University · 3 studies
- Sunwise Clinical Research · 3 studies
What taking part in a major depressive disorder 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 Depressive Disorder trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there major depressive disorder clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 71 recruiting major depressive disorder 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 depressive disorder 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 depressive disorder 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 depressive disorder 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.