Clinical trials
Major Depressive Disorder clinical trials
Below are recruiting major depressive disorder clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 502 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT07611773Recruiting
Brain Stimulation for Depression Treatment Planning
This study tests whether brain scans can predict which people with depression will benefit from transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—a non-invasive treatment that uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate brain areas related to mood. You would use a small home device and complete brain monitoring sessions.
ValenciaAges 18 years+ - 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 - NCT05680220Recruiting
40 Hz light therapy for adults with depression
This trial studies whether daily 40 Hz light stimulation can reduce symptoms of major depression. You’d use a light device for about an hour each day for 6 weeks, while researchers track changes in depression severity.
Copenhagen, DenmarkAges 18–75 - 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 - NCT07694076Recruiting
Real-time brain feedback for depression
This trial uses a powerful MRI scanner to give you real-time feedback on brain activity linked to depression. You will learn to regulate that activity, which may reduce symptoms.
OxfordAges 18–65 - NCT05669703Recruiting
Tracking mood and activity patterns in bipolar disorder families
This study watches how a person’s mood and movement change over time, and how those patterns relate to bipolar disorder. It may help researchers better understand the condition in families and potentially improve future care.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 8–70 - NCT05644301RecruitingPhase 3
Blood-marker guided add-on treatment for major depression
This study tests whether doctors can choose the best add-on immune-related treatment for people with major depressive disorder by using inflammation blood tests. It’s meant for people whose depression has not improved enough with their current antidepressant.
Duffel, AntwerpenAges 18–65 - NCT05641623RecruitingPhase 2
Add-on treatment for depression not improved by standard medication
This trial tests whether adding the study drug OSU6162 to your current antidepressant can help when standard medications haven't worked well enough. It aims to reduce depression symptoms over several weeks.
Lund, Skåne CountyAges 25–75 - NCT05671419Recruiting
Mindful self-compassion training for anxiety and depression
This study tests whether a structured “mindful self-compassion” program can reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders or depression. It’s meant to help by improving how you relate to yourself during difficult thoughts and feelings.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 18–75 - NCT07696871RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Cannabidiol oil for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests if cannabidiol (CBD) oil can help people with major depression that has not improved with standard antidepressants. You will take CBD oil or a placebo while continuing your current antidepressant treatment to see if it improves your symptoms.
Tubarão, Santa CatarinaAges 18–69 - 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 - 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 - NCT05603104RecruitingPhase 3
Medication intensification after first treatment failure in mood and psychosis
This Phase 3 study tests a stronger medication approach after your first current treatment hasn’t worked well enough. It targets people with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, or bipolar depression who still have significant symptoms and life impact.
Ramat GanAges 18–70 - 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 - 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 - NCT07610928Recruiting
Stress management and gentle movement for Asian Americans with depression
This study tests whether learning stress management and gentle movement (like Tai Chi or Qigong) can help Asian Americans with depression and physical symptoms. It may offer a way to feel better that you can do from home in online group sessions.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07562191RecruitingPhase 2
Inhaled DMT for major depression
This trial tests if inhaling DMT can help treat moderate to severe major depression. You may qualify if your depression has lasted at least two weeks and you have not changed medications recently.
Fortaleza, CearáAges 18 years+ - NCT05573074Recruiting
Light treatment trial for brain blood flow in depression
This study tests whether shining near-infrared light through the head can change brain blood flow and reduce depression symptoms. If you have major depression, you may be offered a non-drug, device-based approach to see how well it helps.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT05565352Enrolling by invitation
Ketamine safety study for people in inpatient psychiatric care
This trial looks at whether ketamine is safe and well-tolerated for certain mental health conditions when given in a hospital setting. It may help teams better understand side effects and comfort for people who may be offered ketamine.
GdanskAges 18–90 - NCT05583747Recruiting
Brain stimulation therapy with guidance for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests a type of brain stimulation (guided iTBS) to improve depression when standard antidepressant treatments haven’t helped. It also checks that the treatment is safe for people who can meet the study and scan safety requirements.
Toronto, OntarioAges 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 - NCT05538910Recruiting
Brain imaging study on substance use and depression
This study uses brain scans to understand how substance use and mental illness, like depression, are linked. It may help develop better treatments by looking at brain activity in people with and without depression.
Baltimore, MarylandAges 18–60 - NCT05527509Recruiting
Study of risk and resilience in new RCMP cadets
This study follows people as they start RCMP Cadet Training to learn what factors affect “risk” and “resilience” (how well someone adapts under stress). It may help improve support for cadets during training.
Regina, SaskatchewanAges 19–57
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depressive disorder?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 502 recruiting major depressive disorder 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 depressive disorder 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 depressive disorder 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.