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 501 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT06820723RecruitingPhase 2
Testing a single dose of CYB003 for depression and anxiety
This trial tests a single dose of an investigational drug (CYB003) in people with depression and anxiety who haven't gotten enough help from their current antidepressant. You would take a psilocybin-like medication and be monitored for how it affects your mood and anxiety.
Columbus, OhioAges 21–65 - 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 - NCT07263022RecruitingPhase 3
Cognitive Training for Early Psychosis Study
This study tests whether a cognitive training program can help young adults with recent psychosis improve their thinking and memory skills. It involves brain scans and cognitive exercises.
Minneapolis, MinnesotaAges 18–35 - NCT05977439Recruiting
Brain training for depression recovery
This study uses brain imaging and stimulation to help people with depression learn how to regulate their emotions better. It aims to find out if targeting specific brain networks can improve symptoms.
Charleston, South CarolinaAges 18–65 - NCT07713849Recruiting
Transition care for recent psychosis
This study tests a program to help people recently diagnosed with psychosis (within the last two years) transition from hospital to community care. If you have a psychotic disorder and a caregiver involved in your discharge planning, this could help you.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–40 - NCT07691749Recruiting
Psychobiotics plus antidepressants for Major Depression
This study tests whether adding psychobiotics (special probiotics for mental health) to your current antidepressant helps treat major depression better than the antidepressant alone. It may be an option if you have moderate to severe depression and are on a stable antidepressant dose.
Lahore, Punjab ProvinceAges 18–60 - NCT07533773Recruiting
Brain Activity Changes After Depression Treatment
This study measures how brain activity in specific regions changes after you receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or magnetic seizure therapy (MST) for severe depression. Researchers use a non-invasive headband to monitor blood flow in your brain before and after treatment to better understand how these therapies work.
Hefei, AnhuiAges 12–65 - NCT06247839RecruitingPhase 3
Psilocybin for depression: changing self-focus
This trial tests whether a single dose of psilocybin can help people with treatment-resistant depression by changing how they focus on themselves. It aims to understand how psilocybin affects brain activity and self-related thinking.
Charlestown, MassachusettsAges 18–55 - 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.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18–65 - NCT02994433RecruitingPhase 1
Testing nitrous oxide for depression brain circuit activity
This early study tests whether nitrous oxide, aimed at specific brain circuits, can change depression-related brain activity. It is mainly for adults with major depression or treatment-resistant depression, and includes brain imaging during the study.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18–65 - NCT03437928Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for severe, treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS, a surgically placed device that sends signals to the brain) can reduce symptoms of long-lasting major depression that has not improved with many treatments. You may be more likely to qualify if your depression has been present for years, has been resistant to multiple medications and therapies, and if you meet specific safety and testing requirements.
Dallas, TexasAges 22–70 - NCT03601026Recruiting
Genetic counseling for youth using cannabis safely
This study offers genetic counseling to help reduce mental health problems that can happen for some young people who use cannabis. You join if you are already part of the FORBOW study and fit their age and mental-health criteria.
Halifax, Nova ScotiaAges 12–21 - NCT03859297Recruiting
Testing how rumination changes in depressed teens
This study looks at what changes in “rumination” (repetitive worrying/thinking about negative thoughts) in teens with depression, and how those changes relate to recovery. It’s for ages 14–17 who have had major depression and meet specific screening and medical rules.
Columbus, OhioAges 14–17 - NCT03953014Recruiting
Genetic study of antidepressant side effects in young people
This trial studies whether genes (using a saliva sample) can help explain why some young people feel more “disinhibited” after taking antidepressants like SSRIs. If you’ve had depression, anxiety, or OCD and have used an SSRI, your information and genetics may help improve how antidepressants are chosen and monitored.
Calgary, AlbertaAges 6–17 - NCT03973268RecruitingPhase 1
Ketamine study to understand treatment response in hard-to-treat depression
This early-stage study tests ketamine and looks at what brain changes may explain why it helps people with major depression that hasn’t improved with usual treatments. You may be asked to stay in the hospital and complete detailed interviews, mood rating scales, and brain imaging.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT07703722RecruitingPhase 3
Psilocybin and therapy for depression with trauma
This trial tests psilocybin (a compound from certain mushrooms) combined with a structured therapy to see if it helps people with depression linked to trauma. It focuses on how the treatment affects the connection between the gut and brain.
Islamabad, CapitalAges 18–60 - 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 - NCT04057378RecruitingPhase 4
Testing the best electrical settings for ECT for depression
This trial studies which electrical “pulse settings” work best during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for people with depression. It may help doctors personalize ECT so the treatment is safer and works as well as possible for you.
ÖrebroAges 18 years+ - NCT04061148Recruiting
Near-infrared testing to assess depression
This study uses a near-infrared light test to measure things related to depression. It includes people without depression and people diagnosed with major depressive disorder receiving care at UCSF/SFVAMC, to see how well the test fits with depression status.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04159662Recruiting
Brain scans to study thinking in schizophrenia and depression
This study uses brain imaging to better understand how thinking works in people with schizophrenia or major depression. Your results may help researchers learn what brain patterns match different thinking and symptoms.
Ottawa, OntarioAges 18–60 - NCT04191811Recruiting
Using brain signals to predict CBT success for mood or sleep issues
This study tests whether brain measurements can help predict who will benefit from a type of talk therapy called CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). If you have depression, social anxiety, or insomnia, your brain “response variability” may be used to personalize or improve treatment planning.
Huddinge, Stockholm CountyAges 18 years+ - NCT04296604Recruiting
tDCS brain stimulation to improve thinking and mood
This study tests whether a non-surgical brain stimulation called tDCS can improve “executive function,” which means skills like planning, focus, and decision-making. It is designed for people with several mental health and substance-use conditions, and it may help you if those skills are affected by your diagnosis.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–65 - NCT04422652RecruitingPhase 2
Testing depression treatment options for people with advanced kidney disease
This Phase 2 study tests a combination of new depression treatments for adults living with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and major depression. It may help by improving depression symptoms, while also checking that the treatments are safe for people with reduced kidney function.
Stony Brook, New YorkAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depressive disorder?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 501 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.