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 198 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 - 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 - NCT04556890Recruiting
Brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain
This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to see if it can help people who have both major depression that hasn't improved with medication and chronic pain from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. It aims to reduce both depression and pain symptoms.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT06728280Recruiting
DTMS for teens with depression: safety and effectiveness
This trial tests if a new type of brain stimulation called DTMS can safely help adolescents with major depression. It may be an option if you have tried other treatments and are looking for a non-medication approach.
Taiyuan, ShanxiAges 11–23 - NCT06775379RecruitingPhase 3
Azetukalner vs. placebo for major depression
This trial tests an investigational medication called Azetukalner against a placebo to see if it helps reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder. You may qualify if you are currently in a depressive episode that started in adulthood and have not tried or failed only a few antidepressants.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18–74 - 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 - 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 - NCT05441969Recruiting
Brain stimulation study for major depression symptoms
This trial studies a way to change how excitable the brain is (through in-person brain stimulation) in people with major depression. It may help understand new treatments or symptom patterns that could be useful for major depression.
LisbonAges 18–65 - NCT05641623RecruitingPhase 2
Study drug for depression that didn’t improve on common antidepressants
This Phase 2 trial tests OSU6162 added to an SSRI or SNRI in people whose major depression did not improve enough after trying specific antidepressants for at least 6 weeks. It may help reduce depression symptoms when standard treatments haven’t worked well.
Lund, Skåne CountyAges 25–65 - NCT05644301RecruitingPhase 3
Blood-marker guided add-on treatment for major depression
This study tests whether doctors can choose the best add-on immune-related treatment for people with major depressive disorder by using inflammation blood tests. It’s meant for people whose depression has not improved enough with their current antidepressant.
Duffel, AntwerpenAges 18–65 - NCT06132178RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin and rTMS for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether a combination of psilocybin (a psychedelic substance) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS, a noninvasive brain stimulation) can help people with treatment-resistant depression. It involves daily visits to the research center for about 2 weeks.
Austin, TexasAges 22–65 - NCT06398561Recruiting
Peer support for major depression
This study tests whether talking with a trained peer supporter can help people with major depression. You would meet with someone who has been through similar challenges and learn ways to feel better.
Palma de Mallorca, Balearic IslandsAges 18–85 - NCT06547489RecruitingPhase 2
Testing zelquistinel for major depression
This study tests whether zelquistinel, an investigational drug, can reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder (a type of clinical depression). It is for people who are currently experiencing a moderate to severe depressive episode and are not taking other antidepressants.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18–64 - NCT06592833RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin with or without pimavanserin for depression
This study tests whether combining psilocybin (a psychedelic substance) with pimavanserin (a medication that may help reduce side effects) works better than psilocybin alone for treating major depressive disorder. It may help people who have not responded well to other treatments.
New York, New YorkAges 21–80 - NCT06958692RecruitingPhase 3
Testing a new antidepressant combination for depression
This study tests a new combination of two medications (dextromethorphan and bupropion) as a treatment for major depressive disorder. It may be an option if you have not already tried many antidepressants that didn't work.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–65 - NCT07115329RecruitingPhase 2
Testing Zelquistinel for major depression
This study tests a new oral medication called Zelquistinel (taken as a tablet) against a placebo for treating major depressive disorder. Researchers want to see if it can reduce depression symptoms, especially when other antidepressants haven't been tried or haven't worked.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18–64 - NCT07204314RecruitingPhase 3
Study of vortioxetine for teens with depression in Japan
This trial tests whether vortioxetine helps reduce symptoms of major depression in Japanese teenagers aged 12-17. It compares the study drug to a placebo to see if it is safe and effective.
Nagoya, Aichi-kenAges 12–17 - NCT07276997RecruitingPhase 2
Study of Icalcaprant for major depressive disorder
This trial tests an oral medication called icalcaprant for adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). It aims to see if the drug can reduce depression symptoms and what side effects may occur.
Dothan, AlabamaAges 18–65 - NCT07523048RecruitingPhase 2
Dextromethorphan-Bupropion for Moderate-to-Severe Depression
This study tests a combination medication (dextromethorphan plus bupropion) to see how it affects brain activity in people with moderate-to-severe depression. Researchers use brain imaging (fMRI) to understand how the drug works and whether it may help relieve depression symptoms.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65 - NCT07151846Enrolling by invitation
Using phone data to predict depression
This study uses your smartphone and a Fitbit to track mood patterns and see if they can predict depression. You may join as someone with a mood disorder, as a healthy volunteer, or as someone at higher risk for mood problems.
Seoul, Seongbuk-guAges 19–75 - NCT04509102Enrolling by invitationEarly Phase 1
Test added stimulant medicine with rTMS for depression
This early study tests whether adding a stimulant medicine to repetitive TMS (a non-drug brain stimulation) can improve depression. It is aimed at people whose depression has not improved after at least two antidepressant tries.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - 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 - NCT06542094Recruiting
Brain stimulation for severe depression that hasn't improved with other treatments
This trial tests if deep brain stimulation (a device that sends tiny electrical pulses to mood-related brain areas) can help people with tough-to-treat depression. It uses brain-signal monitoring to see which patterns predict improvement.
Chengdu, SichuanAges 18–65 - NCT06911112RecruitingPhase 3
A new pill for depression when current treatment isn't working well enough
This trial tests an investigational medication (NBI-1065845) added to your current antidepressant to see if it can improve depressive symptoms. It is for people with moderate to severe depression who have not fully responded to their current antidepressant.
Huntsville, AlabamaAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depressive episode?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 198 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.