Clinical trials
Treatment-resistant Bipolar Depression clinical trials
Below are recruiting treatment-resistant bipolar depression clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 43 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT04569448RecruitingPhase 3
Brexpiprazole for bipolar depression that won’t improve
This Phase 3 study tests whether brexpiprazole can help treat bipolar depression that has not responded to previous treatments. It compares the study medicine to a placebo (inactive pill) for people with bipolar I or II depression.
Hamilton, OntarioAges 18–75 - NCT07226232RecruitingPhase 3
Psilocybin for veterans with treatment-resistant depression
This study tests whether psilocybin (a psychedelic substance) can help veterans with depression that hasn't improved with standard treatments.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18–75 - NCT03887715RecruitingTeam says not enrolling
VNS device for long-term depression that hasn’t improved
This trial studies whether a vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device can reduce symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. Participants either receive the VNS treatment or a no-stimulation control, to compare safety and effectiveness.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - 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 - 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 - NCT07039370Recruiting
TMS for depression: looking for brain signals of response
This trial tests if brain scans or electrical signals can predict who will get better with TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) for depression. It is for people whose depression did not improve after trying two or more antidepressants.
Ankara, AnkaraAges 18–65 - 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 - NCT07745374Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for bipolar depression
This study tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical treatment that uses electrical pulses to target specific brain areas, is safe and feasible for people with bipolar depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. It may offer a new option for those who have exhausted standard therapies.
New York, New YorkAges 22–70 - NCT06518720RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin for Chronic Nerve Pain and Depression
This trial tests whether psilocybin (a psychedelic medication) can help people who have both chronic nerve pain and depression that hasn't responded to standard treatments. The goal is to see if it can reduce pain and improve mood.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65 - NCT07184619RecruitingPhase 3
Evenamide for hard-to-treat schizophrenia (add-on study)
This trial tests a new medication, evenamide, added to your current antipsychotic treatment. It looks to see if it can help people whose schizophrenia has not responded well to standard therapies.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 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 - NCT07211438RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin with Monitors for Treatment-Resistant Depression
This study tests whether trained monitors improve the safety and outcomes of psilocybin therapy for people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. Participants will receive psilocybin in a supervised setting and will need to temporarily stop other psychiatric medications.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–70 - NCT03522545RecruitingPhase 1
Stem cell add-on for hard-to-treat bipolar depression
This Phase 1 study tests whether adding allogeneic (donor) stem cells to standard care is safe and may help adults with bipolar depression that has not improved with usual treatments. It mainly targets people with more severe symptoms and certain blood inflammation levels.
Houston, TexasAges 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 - NCT04996433Recruiting
Compare two talk therapy programs for treatment-resistant depression
This study compares two psychotherapy programs to help people who have ongoing, difficult-to-treat depression while in inpatient care. If you qualify, you’ll receive one of the therapy programs and be followed to see which approach helps depression symptoms more.
Berlin, State of BerlinAges 18–75 - NCT05377177Recruiting
Brain stimulation type test for suicidal thoughts in depression
This study tests whether stimulating the brain on both sides at once versus one side can reduce suicidal thoughts in people with treatment-resistant depression. It also looks at brain “inhibition” signals to help predict who benefits.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT05833087Recruiting
Schema therapy for long-lasting, hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether schema therapy can help people with chronic depression that hasn’t improved enough with standard antidepressant treatments. You’d be in a psychiatric clinic and be assessed for severity and diagnosis, then receive the therapy being studied.
Ballerup MunicipalityAges 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 - NCT06163625Recruiting
Brain activity and memory in treatment-resistant depression
This study looks at how the brain's frontal lobe (DLPFC) works during memory tasks in people with treatment-resistant depression. It compares brain activity between depressed patients and healthy controls using MRI and possibly a brain stimulation technique (rTMS). It aims to understand why some people don't respond to standard treatments.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65 - NCT07696871RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Cannabidiol oil for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests if cannabidiol (CBD) oil can help people with major depression that has not improved with standard antidepressants. You will take CBD oil or a placebo while continuing your current antidepressant treatment to see if it improves your symptoms.
Tubarão, Santa CatarinaAges 18–69 - NCT06378229RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin for hospitalized treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests whether a single dose of psilocybin can help hospitalized patients with tough-to-treat depression. It focuses on people who haven't improved with standard antidepressants and need a new option.
Ghent, Oost-VlaanderenAges 18 years+ - 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 - NCT06512220RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression brain imaging study
This study tests whether a psilocybin-based treatment can help people with depression that has not improved after trying several antidepressants. You will receive the study treatment and have brain scans to see how it affects brain connections.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for treatment-resistant bipolar depression?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 43 recruiting treatment-resistant bipolar depression 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 treatment-resistant bipolar depression 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 treatment-resistant bipolar depression 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.