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
- NCT07166289Recruiting
Ultrasound treatment for tough depression
This study uses focused ultrasound to stimulate brain circuits in people with treatment-resistant depression. It aims to see if this can help when other treatments haven't worked.
Tulsa, OklahomaAges 18–65 - NCT07183748RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin microdosing plus therapy for hard-to-treat depression
This trial tests whether taking very small, repeated doses of psilocybin (a substance found in magic mushrooms) along with talk therapy can help people with depression that hasn't gotten better with other treatments. You'll need to stop your current depression medications and avoid drugs or alcohol for the study period.
BeershebaAges 18–65 - NCT07217223Recruiting
Home-based brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS can help people with depression that hasn't improved with medication. It can be done at home using a special headset and an internet connection.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–85 - NCT07264452Recruiting
Comparing two types of accelerated brain stimulation for tough depression
This study compares two fast types of brain stimulation (called accelerated theta burst stimulation) to see which works better for people whose depression hasn't improved with standard antidepressants. It's designed for people with treatment-resistant depression who are already on a stable antidepressant.
ErzurumAges 18–65 - NCT07324070Recruiting
Adding TMS to ECT for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether adding TMS to ECT can better treat depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. It is for adults with moderate to severe major depression who haven't had these treatments recently.
Prague, CzechAges 18 years+ - NCT07369102RecruitingPhase 4
Esketamine with or without talk therapy for tough depression
This trial tests if adding a type of talk therapy called integration therapy helps esketamine work better for people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. You'll receive esketamine, and some people also get guided sessions to reflect on their experiences.
San JuanAges 21–65 - NCT03320304Recruiting
VNS for long-term depression that hasn’t improved with treatment
This trial studies how well and how efficiently VNS therapy works for people with long-lasting or repeated major depression that hasn’t responded to enough antidepressant treatments. It may help patients who are already receiving depression treatment but are still struggling.
ViennaAges 18 years+ - NCT07422519Recruiting
Virtual reality mindfulness for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether using a virtual reality mindfulness program, added to your usual depression care, can help people whose depression hasn't responded to standard treatments.
BarcelonaAges 18–74 - NCT07512284RecruitingPhase 2
Mindfulness and Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression
This study combines mindfulness practice with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)—a non-invasive brain stimulation technique—to help people with depression that hasn't improved with antidepressant medications. The goal is to see if adding mindfulness to TMS improves how well the treatment works.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT07543328Recruiting
Light therapy added to antidepressants for depression with body symptoms
This study tests whether a special light treatment applied to the scalp (transcranial photobiomodulation) can help people with depression who aren't getting better with antidepressants alone. The light therapy is added to your current medication to see if it reduces both mood symptoms and physical complaints like pain or fatigue.
TaipeiAges 18–65 - NCT07553637RecruitingPhase 2
ALTO-207 for Adults With Hard-to-Treat Depression
This study tests whether a new medication called ALTO-207 can help people with depression that hasn't improved with standard antidepressants. You may qualify if you've tried multiple antidepressants without enough relief and are willing to add this experimental treatment to your current medication.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18–75 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT06370988Recruiting
Theta-burst stimulation for bipolar depression
This study tests a type of brain stimulation (theta-burst TMS) to see if it helps improve depression in people with bipolar disorder. It might be a good option if you have tried medication but still feel depressed.
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+ - 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 - NCT05393622Recruiting
Brain stimulation trial for severe, treatment-resistant depression
This study tests an implanted form of brain stimulation for people with severe depression that has not improved with multiple medication trials. If you qualify, you would have brain scans and surgery planning, then follow a treatment-and-safety plan for several months.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 21–80 - NCT02994433RecruitingPhase 1
Testing nitrous oxide for depression brain circuit activity
This early study tests whether nitrous oxide, aimed at specific brain circuits, can change depression-related brain activity. It is mainly for adults with major depression or treatment-resistant depression, and includes brain imaging during the study.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18–65 - NCT05900271Recruiting
Trial for depression using new brain-stimulation sessions
This study tests whether a specific type of brain stimulation (theta burst delivered over several days) works better than standard rTMS given over 6 weeks for people with treatment-resistant depression. It may help improve depressive symptoms, measured with multiple depression rating scales.
Nijmegen, GLAges 18–99 - NCT05418894Recruiting
Study brain signals and improve treatment-resistant depression
This trial studies how brain activity relates to feelings and depression, using brain electrodes to measure signals. It’s meant for people with long-lasting, treatment-resistant major depression who may need stimulation while continuing psychiatric care.
Houston, TexasAges 22–70 - NCT05905705Recruiting
ECT plus a sleep monitor for treatment-resistant depression
This study looks at how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) affects brain activity and sleep patterns in people with difficult-to-treat depression. It uses a wearable sleep monitor (the Dreem device) to record sleep while you receive ECT.
St Louis, MissouriAges 21–65 - NCT06488586Recruiting
Ketamine vs Esketamine for treatment-resistant depression
This trial compares two forms of ketamine—given by IV or as a nasal spray—in people with major depression that hasn't improved after trying at least two other antidepressants. The goal is to see which treatment works better.
Kingston, OntarioAges 18–75
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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.