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 504 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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 - NCT05925322Recruiting
Social reward therapy for depression-related suicidal thoughts
This study looks at whether “social reward” psychotherapy can change brain activity and reduce suicidal thoughts in adults ages 50–80 who also have major depression. You may be offered psychotherapy along with brain scans to see how your brain responds over time.
New York, New YorkAges 50–80 - 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 - NCT05909267Recruiting
Testing dopamine-targeted treatment for depression and body inflammation
This study looks at how changing dopamine signaling may affect motivation and movement in people with major depression, and it also involves healthy volunteers. It may help researchers understand whether dopamine changes can improve symptoms and how inflammation may relate to brain function.
SteglitzAges 18–65 - NCT05892744RecruitingPhase 4
Testing brain scans to help choose depression treatment
This trial studies how brain signals measured by MRI and EEG may help doctors choose the best treatment for depression. It focuses on people with early-onset, long-lasting or recurring major depression, and tests whether these “brain biomarkers” track with treatment choice and response.
Austin, TexasAges 18–65 - 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.
Huntsville, AlabamaAges 18–65 - NCT05866991Recruiting
Study tracking sleep and mood in depression
This study looks at people with a current episode of major depression and measures sleep and daily body-clock patterns, along with other mental health symptoms. They may help researchers better understand how sleep and mood changes relate, which could improve future care.
Paris, ParisAges Any age - NCT05800925Recruiting
Triage survey to check who can join psychiatry research
This study uses a short questionnaire to figure out who is eligible to join future psychiatry research. It may help people get routed into studies that match their situation and safety needs.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05786066RecruitingPhase 2
Test whether blocking AMPA changes ketamine’s suicide relief
This study looks at whether an “AMPA receptor blocker” changes how ketamine affects suicidal thoughts in people with depression that hasn’t improved with usual treatments. If you qualify, you may receive ketamine and the study medicine, while continuing your regular mental health care.
West Haven, ConnecticutAges 21–65 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT05450432RecruitingPhase 4
Ketamine maintenance to help prevent suicidal thoughts
This Phase 4 study tests whether ongoing treatment with ketamine or esketamine can reduce suicidal thoughts in people with major depression who are at high risk. Because the study focuses on long-term maintenance, you’d receive treatment over time while being closely monitored for safety and mental health changes.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT05523817Recruiting
Brain scan targeting to improve specific depression symptoms
This study uses brain-signal targeting (likely with MRI) to see whether it can improve certain symptoms of depression. You may be able to join if you’re 18–65 and currently have a depressive episode, and if you can safely complete the scan.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depressive disorder?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 504 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.