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 503 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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+ - NCT04480918Recruiting
Registry for people with depression or bipolar to receive psychiatry care
This is a patient registry that enrolls people being evaluated for treatment options from an Interventional Psychiatry Service. It helps track patients with depression, bipolar disorder, or treatment-resistant OCD who are suitable for these psychiatry treatments.
Iowa City, IowaAges 18–99 - NCT04556890Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression with chronic pain
This study tests a brain-stimulation treatment to help people with moderate depression and ongoing (chronic) pain. It focuses on people whose depression has not improved after multiple antidepressant treatments and added therapy steps.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04576182Recruiting
Therapy for depression using emotion-focused sessions
This study tests a structured talk-therapy program (supportive-expressive and emotion-focused therapy) for people with major depression. It may help by teaching new ways to understand and work with emotions as part of treatment.
HaifaAges 18–65 - NCT04581902Recruiting
Study blood and brain markers in moderate to severe depression
This study looks at changes in depression “markers” to understand what treatments help and why. You’ll have non-invasive brain stimulation and scans before and after treatment, over about 8 weeks.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT04637620RecruitingPhase 2
NMDA-based treatment study for major depression
This Phase 2 trial tests whether an NMDA-targeted treatment can improve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). You may be able to join if your depression diagnosis and symptom score fit, and you meet several safety and study-following requirements.
TaichungAges 18–55 - 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 - NCT04751331RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study brain response to inflammation in depression
This early-stage study tests how your brain responds to an “inflammatory challenge” in people with major depressive disorder and in healthy volunteers. It may help researchers understand the immune-to-brain link in depression and guide future treatments.
Tulsa, OklahomaAges 18–65 - NCT04788524Recruiting
Brain and stress study in depressed teens with control feelings
This study uses brain scans and short real-life mood/stress check-ins to understand how stress and perceived control work in teens with depression. It may help researchers better pinpoint brain patterns linked to depression and how teens experience control during stressful moments.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 14–18 - 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+ - NCT00018057RecruitingPhase 2
Brain study of pediatric anxiety disorders
This study looks at how the brain works in children and adults with anxiety disorders. It uses brain scans (fMRI) and other safe tests to understand anxiety better.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 8–65 - 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 - NCT07226011Recruiting
Fast High-Dose Brain Stimulation for Depression
This study tests a stronger, faster type of brain stimulation (called tDCS) to see if it can help treat depression. It may be a good fit if you have major depression and haven't used other brain stimulation in the past 6 months.
Charleston, South CarolinaAges 18–70 - NCT04935619Recruiting
Testing cannabis abstinence effects in depression symptoms
This study looks at how stopping cannabis for a period of time may affect depression symptoms and thinking/memory. You might benefit by getting close monitoring of mood and cognition while researchers compare changes during cannabis abstinence.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–55 - NCT04972136Recruiting
Brain stimulation treatment for depression in young adults with autism
This trial studies a noninvasive brain stimulation (rTMS) to help reduce depression symptoms in young adults who have autism. It aims to find out if this treatment can improve mood and daily functioning without requiring recent changes to medications.
Toronto, OntarioAges 16–35 - NCT04984512RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Testing mitizodone tablets for major depression symptoms
This trial studies whether mitizodone phosphate tablets can improve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). It also checks the treatment’s safety, including mood and physical health effects.
Dongguan, GuangdongAges 18–65 - NCT05017311RecruitingPhase 4
Testing a depression medication plan using symptom predictions
This Phase 4 study tests an “optimized” medication approach for adults with major depressive disorder (unipolar depression) based on how you respond over time. It may help your care team choose treatments more effectively and reduce trial-and-error.
Calgary, AlbertaAges 18–65 - NCT05028738Recruiting
Test a brain stimulation program for depression and anxiety
This trial studies whether a patient-friendly, scheduled brain stimulation treatment can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. It also checks whether the treatment plan is practical and safe to use in real outpatient settings.
Vancouver, British ColumbiaAges 18 years+ - NCT05051618Recruiting
Exercise program for depression in people with multiple sclerosis
This trial studies whether a structured exercise program can help reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder in people who also have multiple sclerosis. You’ll complete questionnaires, wear an activity sensor, and do exercise testing while being assigned to the study program.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–64 - NCT05076214Recruiting
Exercise group for teens with mild to moderate depression
This study compares a structured aerobic exercise group to a more relaxed leisure activity group for adolescents with mild to moderate depression. It aims to see whether exercise can help improve mood when earlier basic support didn’t work well enough.
HalmstadAges 13–17
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depressive disorder?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 503 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.