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 201 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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 - NCT06816329Recruiting
Stress and depression risk study for teenage girls
This study looks at how stress affects teenage girls who may be at higher risk for depression due to a parent's history. It involves MRI scans and daily surveys on a cell phone.
Belmont, MassachusettsAges 13–15 - NCT02122562RecruitingPhase 2
Ketamine treatment for depression that hasn’t responded to care
This Phase 2 study tests ketamine for people with major depression that hasn’t improved after at least one antidepressant. It aims to see whether ketamine can reduce depression symptoms during a current depressive episode.
Iowa City, IowaAges 18–55 - NCT07444242Recruiting
Fast depression treatment using brain stimulation
This trial tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can quickly improve depression symptoms. It is for people who are not taking any psychiatric medications now or in the past.
Regensburg, BavariaAges 18–70 - NCT06480500RecruitingPhase 2
Online therapy and IV ketamine for severe depression with suicide risk
This study tests whether adding an online therapy (i-CBT) to intravenous (IV) ketamine is better than IV ketamine alone for people with treatment-resistant depression who are also thinking about suicide. You'll receive either ketamine or a comparison drug (midazolam), plus the online therapy, in a hospital setting.
Toronto, OntarioAges 21–65 - NCT05773755Recruiting
Brain stimulation surgery for treatment-resistant depression
This trial studies whether deep brain stimulation (DBS)—a surgically placed brain device—can reduce severe, long-lasting depression that hasn’t responded to many treatments. It may help people whose depression has persisted despite trying multiple antidepressant and other evidence-based therapies.
New York, New YorkAges 25–70 - NCT07247344Recruiting
Depression in hospitalized teens: a brain study
This study looks at brain and behavior in teens aged 10–20 who are hospitalized for depression or bipolar disorder. It aims to better understand the condition and may help guide future treatments.
Nanjing, JiangsuAges 10–20 - NCT07015944Recruiting
Moving on after breast cancer: a depression trial for survivors in Pakistan
This study tests a program called "Moving on After Breast Cancer" for women in Pakistan who have finished breast cancer treatment and now have depression. The goal is to see if this program helps them feel better emotionally.
Karachi, SindhAges 18 years+ - NCT03665831Recruiting
Deep TMS for depression and memory problems in older adults
This study tests a type of brain stimulation called Deep TMS to help reduce depression and improve or stabilize memory-related symptoms in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s mainly for people whose depression did not improve or could not be tolerated with antidepressant medicine.
Toronto, OntarioAges 60 years+ - NCT06392867Recruiting
Brain stimulation for stubborn depression: intensity study
This study tests a type of brain stimulation called TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) for people with depression that hasn't improved with at least two antidepressants. Researchers want to see if a faster version of TMS (theta-burst stimulation) helps reduce depression symptoms.
Hong KongAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT07172516RecruitingPhase 3
Study of azetukalner vs placebo for bipolar depression
This trial tests whether the study drug azetukalner can help reduce depression symptoms in people with bipolar I or II disorder who are currently having a depressive episode. You would be randomly assigned to receive either the drug or a placebo (inactive pill) to see which works better.
Tucson, ArizonaAges 18–74 - NCT05866575Recruiting
Brain-modeling trial to predict depression treatment response
This trial uses computer modeling based on brain measurements to try to predict which depression treatment will work for you. It may help match you with the most effective option faster by understanding your motivation-related brain patterns.
La Tronche, IsèreAges 18 years+ - NCT05669703Recruiting
Tracking mood and activity patterns in bipolar disorder families
This study watches how a person’s mood and movement change over time, and how those patterns relate to bipolar disorder. It may help researchers better understand the condition in families and potentially improve future care.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 8–70 - NCT06788249RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression brain study
This trial tests whether a single dose of ketamine can quickly improve depression by studying brain chemical changes using MRI. It's for people with treatment-resistant depression who haven't used ketamine before.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 25–65 - 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 - 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 - NCT05409794Recruiting
Testing blood lithium levels in people with depression and suicidality
This study checks how much lithium is naturally present in the blood and whether that relates to suicidal thoughts or attempts in people with a current major depressive episode. It may help researchers understand biological factors linked to suicide risk and improve future prevention.
MontpellierAges 18 years+ - NCT05480150Recruiting
Study of brain and mood in people with depression or bipolar disorder
This study is following and assessing people with major depression or bipolar disorder to better understand the condition and how the brain relates to symptoms. It may help researchers develop more targeted support by comparing brain and health information over time.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 16–65 - NCT05645575Recruiting
Inpatient TMS for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests an in-hospital brain stimulation treatment (TMS) for people with moderate to severe depression who did not improve after multiple antidepressant treatments. It may help your mood by targeting brain circuits involved in depression, and you would follow an intensive accelerated schedule.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT05964192Recruiting
Neuro test help after rTMS for treatment-resistant depression
This study checks whether a set of brain and hormone-related blood/marker tests can help predict or improve how well rTMS works for depression. It’s for adults whose depression has not responded to two antidepressants.
Rouffach, AlsaceAges 18–65 - NCT06045897Recruiting
EEG brain test for young people at risk of psychosis
This study uses a short EEG recording to look at brain activity patterns in young people with early signs of mental health conditions, including those at risk for psychosis, first episode psychosis, depression, or autism. It aims to find brain markers that could help identify people who might benefit from early treatment.
ParisAges 15–30 - NCT06183359Recruiting
Self-Identification Program for Depression
This study tests a self-identification program for people aged 18 to 70 who are currently in a major depressive episode. It aims to explore whether a simple self-monitoring tool can help you better manage your depression.
MontpellierAges 18–70 - NCT06319378RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin for cancer-related depression
This trial tests whether a single dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic medication, can safely and effectively treat major depression in people with cancer. If you have cancer and have been feeling depressed for at least a month, you may qualify.
Gothenburg, GöteborgAges 20–80
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for major depressive episode?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 201 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.