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 121 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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 - NCT05570344Recruiting
Texting support plus brain stimulation for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether adding supportive text messages to brain stimulation (repetitive TMS) helps people with depression that has not improved after at least two antidepressant tries. It may help some people by combining a brain-based treatment with ongoing daily encouragement and support.
Edmonton, AlbertaAges 18 years+ - NCT05577247Recruiting
Study of new thinking skills in hard-to-treat depression
This trial looks at how people with treatment-resistant major depression respond when starting a new depression medicine that affects glutamate signaling. It also involves brain scans and thinking/learning tasks, aiming to understand what helps people improve when standard treatments haven’t worked.
ParisAges 18–70 - NCT05583747Recruiting
Brain stimulation therapy with guidance for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests a type of brain stimulation (guided iTBS) to improve depression when standard antidepressant treatments haven’t helped. It also checks that the treatment is safe for people who can meet the study and scan safety requirements.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18–65 - NCT05607654Recruiting
Brain stimulation for depression that hasn’t improved with usual treatment
This study tests how a specific kind of brain stimulation (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) works for people with depression that has not responded to standard treatments. If you qualify, it may help doctors understand the mechanism and improve options for treatment-resistant depression.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–45 - 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 - NCT05660642RecruitingPhase 2
Safety and tolerability study for BPL-003 in hard-to-treat depression
This Phase 2 study tests BPL-003 in people with treatment-resistant depression to learn about its safety and how it affects the body and brain. Because it is open-label, everyone knows they are getting the study treatment, and you’ll also need to stop your current antidepressant during the study.
LiverpoolAges 18–75 - NCT05661383Recruiting
Smell and brain stimulation for hard-to-treat depression
This trial studies whether stimulating the brain and senses related to smell can reduce symptoms in people with depression that has not responded to usual treatment. It may help by testing new non-drug approaches for improving mood and motivation.
BronAges 18 years+ - NCT05680220Recruiting
40 Hz light therapy for adults with depression
This trial studies whether daily 40 Hz light stimulation can reduce symptoms of major depression. You’d use a light device for about an hour each day for 6 weeks, while researchers track changes in depression severity.
Copenhagen, DenmarkAges 18–75 - 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 - NCT05798143Recruiting
Testing brain-signal biomarkers in treatment-resistant depression
This trial studies signs in the brain (biomarkers) during an accelerated form of nerve stimulation to treat depression that hasn’t improved with usual antidepressants. It may help researchers learn who benefits and how to better personalize treatment.
ChietiAges 18–65 - NCT05813093Recruiting
Brain stimulation and brain scans for hard-to-treat depression
This trial tests an alternating combination of brain stimulation and brain imaging to see if it helps people with depression that hasn’t improved with usual treatments. The goal is to find a safer, more effective approach for people whose depression has been very difficult to treat.
Toronto, OntarioAges 20–65 - 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 - NCT05952674Recruiting
Vagus nerve stimulation for long-term depression symptoms
This trial studies whether a device that stimulates the vagus nerve (VNS) can help people with treatment-resistant depression or related mood disorders that have not improved despite multiple therapies. It may help by targeting mood symptoms when other treatments haven’t worked well.
Angers, FranceAges 18 years+ - NCT05973851RecruitingPhase 3
Six-week medicine boost for depression after first treatment failure
This study tests a more intensive antidepressant medicine approach for people whose first tried treatment didn’t work well enough. It compares the intensified treatment with usual care, aiming to improve depression symptoms and daily functioning.
InnsbruckAges 18–65 - 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 - NCT06096207RecruitingPhase 1
Deep brain stimulation for severe depression
This trial tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a surgical treatment that uses tiny electrical pulses to change brain activity — can help people with severe, long-lasting depression that hasn't responded to other treatments.
Queens, New YorkAges 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 - 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+ - 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+ - 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+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for treatment resistant depression?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 121 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.