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 195 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT07146269Enrolling by invitation
Virtual reality and brain stimulation for depression
This study tests if combining virtual reality with a gentle brain stimulation method at home can help people with major depression. You would use a headset and small electrodes to receive treatment in your own home.
MunichAges 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 - NCT07111390Recruiting
Home-based light therapy for major depression
This trial tests whether a special light you can use at home can help treat major depression. It's a 60Hz light that you turn on and off repeatedly. If you're 24–65, have depression, and take a stable antidepressant, you may be able to participate.
New York, New YorkAges 24–65 - NCT07087353Recruiting
Remote monitoring for moderate to severe depression
This study tests whether checking in with a mental health team remotely (using your phone) can help people with moderate to severe depression feel better. It’s designed for people who are already getting treatment and want extra support from home.
BesançonAges 18 years+ - 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 - NCT07031817Recruiting
Using a blood test to better diagnose bipolar disorder
This trial tests a new medical device that uses a blood test to help doctors accurately diagnose bipolar disorder in people who were thought to have major depression. It aims to see if the device can tell the difference and improve treatment choices.
MontpellierAges 18–65 - NCT06854367Recruiting
Comparing fast vs. standard brain stimulation for depression in older adults
This study tests if a faster form of brain stimulation (accelerated theta burst stimulation) works as well as the standard version for treating depression in adults 60 and older. It may help those who haven't gotten relief from antidepressant medications.
Toronto, OntarioAges 60 years+ - NCT06832605Recruiting
Mindfulness classes by video to prevent depression relapse
This trial tests an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program delivered via video call to help people with a history of depression prevent future episodes. It may help you learn skills to manage low mood and reduce the chance of relapse.
Elche, AlicanteAges 18 years+ - NCT06804525Recruiting
Adapting a mental health survey in Hong Kong
This study adapts a mental health survey for Hong Kong adults. It is open to adults aged 25 and older who live in randomly selected households and can speak Chinese or English.
Hong KongAges 25 years+ - 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 - NCT06692361Recruiting
Gut bacteria transplant for depression not helped by escitalopram
This trial tests whether transplanting healthy gut bacteria (fecal microbiota) can help people with depression that does not respond well to the antidepressant escitalopram. You will first take escitalopram for 2 weeks, and if it doesn't help enough, you may receive either the real transplant or a placebo capsule.
Wuhu, AnhuiAges 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 - 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 - NCT06601140Recruiting
Testing a smartphone app for tracking depression symptoms
This study tests a smartphone-based emotional monitoring device (EMOCARE) to see if it can accurately measure your mood compared to a standard depression questionnaire. It may help researchers find a simpler way to track depression symptoms.
AgenAges 18 years+ - 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 - 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 - NCT06396312Recruiting
Predicting lithium response in difficult depression
This study looks at how to predict which people with hard-to-treat depression will benefit from adding lithium to their antidepressant. If you have treatment-resistant depression and are considering lithium, this trial may help find the best treatment for you.
Munich, BavariaAges 18 years+ - NCT06384209Recruiting
Friendship Bench Plus for Depression
This study tests whether a structured talk therapy program called the Friendship Bench can help adults with moderate to severe depression. You will have conversations with trained lay counselors who guide you through problem-solving techniques.
HarareAges 18 years+ - NCT06152705Recruiting
fMRI-Guided vs. Standard Brain Stimulation for Depression
This study compares two types of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat depression. One type uses a brain scan (fMRI) to guide the treatment, while the other uses a standard approach. It may help people whose depression hasn't improved with medication.
Ottawa, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT06086366Recruiting
Brain scan study for depression after COVID-19
This study uses brain scans to understand depression that starts soon after COVID-19. Researchers want to see if there are changes in brain chemistry related to depression, and you may help find new treatment targets.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–75 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depressive episode?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 195 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.