Clinical trials
Treatment Resistant Depression clinical trials
Below are recruiting treatment resistant depression clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 125 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT07603804Recruiting
Accelerated Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression
This study tests an accelerated form of iTBS (a non-invasive brain stimulation technique) for depression that hasn't improved with antidepressant medications. The goal is to help people with major depression who haven't responded adequately to at least one antidepressant drug.
IstanbulAges 18–65 - 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 - NCT06278779RecruitingPhase 4
Comparing two types of ketamine for stubborn depression
This study compares two forms of ketamine to see which works better for depression that hasn't improved with at least two other antidepressants. If you've tried multiple antidepressants without success, this trial might help find a more effective treatment.
Camperdown, New South WalesAges 18 years+ - NCT06895863Recruiting
Personalized magnetic brain therapy for hard to treat depression
This study tests a new way to use magnetic brain stimulation tailored to each patient to treat depression that hasn't improved with at least two different medications. It may help people who are still struggling with moderate to severe depression.
Glostrup MunicipalityAges 18–95 - 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+ - NCT06812923Recruiting
tACS for hard‑to‑treat depression with inflammation
This study tests a non‑invasive brain stimulation method called tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation) for people with difficult‑to‑treat depression and signs of inflammation. It aims to see if this treatment can help when standard medications haven't worked well enough.
Tianjin, Tianjin MunicipalityAges 18–55 - NCT06781697RecruitingPhase 3
Ketamine and virtual reality for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests if adding virtual reality to ketamine treatments can help people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. You'll receive IV ketamine as prescribed by your doctor and also use a virtual reality headset during sessions.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT06773949Recruiting
Exercise before rTMS for hard-to-treat depression
This trial tests if doing exercise before repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve depression symptoms in people who haven't gotten better with standard treatments.
Ottawa, OntarioAges 18–75 - NCT06732089Recruiting
Digital help for stubborn depression
This trial tests a digital program (smartphone app or website) to help people with tough-to-treat depression. If you are already receiving advanced treatments like rTMS, ketamine, or ECT at St. Michael's Hospital, you may be able to join and see if this extra digital support improves your mood.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT06668571RecruitingPhase 2
Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests if intravenous ketamine can help people with treatment-resistant depression who haven't found relief from at least two other treatments. If you qualify, you'll receive ketamine infusions to see if it improves your mood.
Rochester, MinnesotaAges 18–65 - NCT06599099Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for depression that hasn't responded to other treatments
This trial tests if deep brain stimulation (a surgical implant that sends gentle electrical pulses to a specific area of the brain) can help people with bipolar I disorder who are currently in a severe depressive episode and have not found relief from multiple treatments.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 22–64 - 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 - NCT03887715Recruiting
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+ - 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 - NCT06511908RecruitingPhase 2
Testing a new ketamine-like drug for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests a new experimental drug (2R,6R)-HNK, a chemical related to ketamine, given by IV infusion to see if it can help people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. The goal is to find a new option for people who have not found relief from standard antidepressants.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–70 - 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 - NCT06511544Recruiting
Brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression with rumination
This study tests whether a specific form of brain stimulation (called rTMS) can help people with treatment-resistant depression by targeting brain circuits linked to rumination (repetitive negative thinking). If you have tried at least one antidepressant without success and do not have other major mental health conditions, this trial may be worth exploring with your doctor.
Indianapolis, IndianaAges 18–70 - NCT06480201RecruitingPhase 1
Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: a brain wave study
This study tests whether a single dose of ketamine can change brain wave patterns (called gamma oscillations) in people with treatment-resistant depression. Researchers want to see if these brain waves can predict who will feel better after treatment.
Houston, TexasAges 21–45 - NCT06462196Recruiting
Study of Depression, Bipolar Disorder & Suicide Risk
This study looks at how depression, bipolar disorder, and suicide risk naturally change over time. It aims to better understand these conditions so doctors can improve treatments.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–120 - NCT06423430Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression (TRANSCEND)
This trial tests a new brain stimulation treatment (deep brain stimulation, or DBS) for people with hard-to-treat depression. It aims to see if targeting a specific brain area can help when other treatments have failed.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 22–70 - NCT06404320Recruiting
Exercise program for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests whether a physical activity program can help adults whose depression hasn’t improved after trying at least two antidepressants. If you’re sedentary, between 18 and 65, and have treatment-resistant depression, this program might offer a new way to feel better through exercise.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65 - 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+ - NCT06085950Recruiting
Ultrasound brain stimulation for hard-to-treat depression
This trial tests whether a gentle ultrasound treatment aimed at the brain can help people with severe depression that hasn't improved with at least two prior medications. It's a first small study to see if the approach is safe and promising.
ParisAges 18–75 - 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+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for treatment resistant depression?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 125 recruiting treatment resistant 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 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 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.