Clinical trials
Major Depressive Episode clinical trials
Below are recruiting major depressive episode clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 200 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT06793397RecruitingPhase 3
Study of an experimental psychedelic-like drug for depression (CYB003)
This study tests an investigational medication (CYB003) for people with major depression whose current antidepressant isn't working well enough. It looks at whether this treatment can help improve depression symptoms.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18–85 - NCT04999553Recruiting
Comparing brain stimulation on left vs right side for depression
This study tests whether delivering a type of brain stimulation to the left side of the head is as effective as delivering it to the right side for treating major depression. The treatment is called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood.
Vancouver, British ColumbiaAges 18–65 - NCT07480525Recruiting
Escitalopram for first-time depression
This trial tests whether escitalopram, a common antidepressant, helps people who are experiencing their first episode of depression and have never taken medication for it. It also looks at how the drug works in the brain.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–65 - NCT06523439Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression in young people
This study tests a new type of brain stimulation called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) in young people (ages 13-20) with depression who have not tried many treatments before. The goal is to see if this treatment can safely help reduce depression symptoms.
Austin, TexasAges 13–20 - 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 - NCT07462637Recruiting
Light therapy for depression in unipolar and bipolar disorder
This study tests how well light therapy works for moderate to severe depression in people with or without bipolar disorder. It includes a possible MRI brain scan to understand how light affects the brain. You must not have certain eye conditions or high suicide risk.
ParisAges 18–65 - NCT07120880RecruitingPhase 3
Light therapy timing for depression with insomnia
This trial tests whether giving light therapy at a specific time of day can improve both depression and sleep problems. It is for adults with major depression and insomnia who are not currently on antidepressants.
ParisAges 18–65 - NCT03646058RecruitingPhase 3
Add-on buprenorphine to ease suicidal thoughts in depression
This Phase 3 study tests whether adding buprenorphine to your usual pain-dose medicines can reduce severe suicidal thoughts during a major depressive episode. It may help people who are currently hospitalized or closely followed and have higher scores for both depression severity and suicidal thinking.
Bordeaux, FranceAges 18–65 - NCT06902298RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Ultrasound brain stimulation for depression
This trial tests a new, non-invasive ultrasound treatment for people with depression who haven't gotten enough relief from at least two prior treatments. It uses sound waves to gently stimulate areas of the brain linked to mood.
Salt Lake City, UtahAges 18–65 - NCT06619366Recruiting
Guided risk talk to prevent major depression
This study tests if talking with a coach about your personal risk of depression can help prevent it. You may be eligible if you are at higher risk but currently well.
Halifax, Nova ScotiaAges 18–65 - NCT06508710RecruitingPhase 3
Ketamine plus venlafaxine for severe depression
This trial tests whether adding ketamine to the antidepressant venlafaxine helps relieve severe depression faster than venlafaxine alone. If you are hospitalized for a serious depression and you meet safety criteria, you may be eligible.
Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, FranceAges 18–65 - NCT07681492Recruiting
Depression, aging, and antidepressants: a belief study
This trial studies how depression and antidepressants affect belief updating in older adults. You may join if you are over 65, have major depression, and are starting a new antidepressant. The goal is to learn more about how your brain adjusts beliefs over time.
RennesAges 65 years+ - NCT07478796RecruitingPhase 4
Blood-based dosing of SSRIs for hospitalized depression
This study tests whether adjusting the dose of common antidepressants (SSRIs) based on regular blood tests can help people in the hospital feel better faster. It is for adults and teens age 12 and older with moderate to severe depression who are starting fluoxetine, escitalopram, or sertraline.
Poznan, Greater Poland VoivodeshipAges 12 years+ - NCT04142996Recruiting
Comparing one- vs two-side brain stimulation for depression
This trial compares two versions of a noninvasive brain treatment called rTMS to see which side-to-side approach works better for major depression. You may be eligible if you still have moderate depressive symptoms despite trying at least one antidepressant.
Ottawa, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT07269964Recruiting
At-home brain stimulation for depression maintenance
This trial tests if a gentle, at-home brain stimulation treatment (tDCS) can help prevent depression from returning after successful initial treatment with esketamine, rTMS, or ECT. It is for people who are stable but want to stay well.
München, BavariaAges 18 years+ - NCT07748091Recruiting
Brain wave and inflammation markers in shock therapy for depression
This study looks at brain wave patterns and markers of inflammation in people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments and who are receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, also known as shock therapy). The goal is to understand how these markers might relate to how well ECT works.
Istanbul, BakırköyAges 18–60 - NCT07740694Recruiting
ECT study for older adults with depression
This study looks at how ECT affects brain activity and inflammation in older adults with depression. It may help researchers understand why ECT works and improve treatment.
Istanbul, BakırköyAges 55 years+ - NCT07569198RecruitingPhase 2
Ketamine plus therapy for depression with suicidal thoughts
This study tests whether ketamine (a medication) combined with a specific type of therapy called DBT can help people with treatment-resistant depression and borderline personality disorder who are having thoughts of suicide. You would receive ketamine infusions alongside structured therapy sessions over 6 months.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–70 - 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 - 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 - 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+ - 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.
ParisAges Any age - 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
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Major Depressive Episode trials by city
Studies with a site in or near these metro areas.
Major Depressive Episode trials by state
Studies with a site anywhere in these states.
Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depressive episode?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 200 recruiting major depressive episode 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 episode 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 episode 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.