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 126 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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+ - NCT06784388RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Deep brain stimulation for tough-to-treat depression
This early trial tests a personalized deep brain stimulation (DBS) approach for people with major depression that hasn't improved with at least two different antidepressants. DBS uses small electrodes placed in the brain to adjust mood-related circuits.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–70 - 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+ - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT06524830RecruitingPhase 2
Testing VLS-01 film for treatment-resistant depression
This trial tests an experimental film placed inside the cheek (VLS-01) against a placebo to see if it helps people whose depression hasn't improved with standard antidepressants. If you have tried at least two antidepressants without success, this study may be an option for you.
Tucson, ArizonaAges 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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+ - 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 - 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 - 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+ - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT06044324Enrolling by invitation
Imaging brain activity in TMS for depression
This trial uses PET scans to see how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) affects the brain in people whose depression hasn't improved with at least two different antidepressants. It aims to find markers that could predict who might benefit from TMS.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–45
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for treatment resistant depression?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 126 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.