TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION

This early-stage study tested a new drug called ALA-3000 in 37 adults with treatment-resistant depression — meaning their depression did not get better with standard antidepressants. Participants received either ALA-3000 injections or a placebo, along with a newly started oral an…

This study tested a personalized brain stimulation technique called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) in 79 people with treatment-resistant depression. The goal was to see if targeting specific brain areas could ease symptoms like loss of pleasure (anhedoni…

This small pilot study tested whether combining intravenous ketamine with a specific talk therapy called RO DBT is safe and feasible for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Sixteen participants received four weekly ketamine infusions plus four months of RO DBT. The main g…

This study tested magnetic seizure therapy (MST) in 239 adults with treatment-resistant depression to see if it works as well as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) but with fewer memory side effects. MST uses magnetic pulses to trigger a controlled seizure, aiming to relieve depress…

This study tested whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can help people with severe depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. 46 patients received either active DBS or a sham (inactive) device. The goal was to see if DBS reduces depression symptoms safely.

This study tested a new way to help people with depression that hasn't improved with standard treatments. 60 adults learned to increase activity in a brain area linked to positive memories using real-time feedback from an MRI machine. The goal was to see if this training could re…

This small pilot study tested an accelerated version of theta-burst stimulation, a type of magnetic brain stimulation, in 7 adults with bipolar depression that didn't respond to standard treatments. All participants received the active treatment, and researchers measured changes …

This study tested a single 25mg dose of psilocybin in 20 adults with depression that didn't respond to standard treatments and who also had ongoing suicidal thoughts. The goal was to see if the drug is safe and tolerable in this high-risk group. Participants received the dose in …

This study tested a new way of using a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) for people with treatment-resistant depression. The new approach uses a higher dose and more frequent sessions than usual. The study was very smal…

This study tested a virtual navigation system to help guide Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for people with treatment-resistant depression. The system aims to personalize the brain target for each patient. Twenty-two adults with major depressive disorder who had not respo…

This study tested whether low-dose ketamine infusions could quickly reduce depression in teenagers aged 13 to 19 whose depression had not improved with at least two other antidepressants. The trial was small, with only 12 participants, and compared ketamine to a placebo (midazola…

This study tested an intensive form of brain stimulation for people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. 130 participants received either real or fake stimulation over 5 days, with 10 sessions per day. The goal was to see if this approach could quickly reduc…

This small pilot study tested whether a single 25mg dose of psilocybin, given with psychological support, could help people with treatment-resistant depression who still struggle with anhedonia—the inability to feel pleasure or interest. Twenty adults took either the full dose or…

This study tested whether adding the antibiotic minocycline to usual antidepressants can reduce symptoms in people with treatment-resistant depression. Over 12 weeks, 76 participants received either minocycline or a placebo. The goal was to see if the drug improves mood, anxiety,…

This small study tested whether taking aspirin and ketamine together by mouth can help people with treatment-resistant depression. Fifteen adults who had not gotten better with standard antidepressants received the combination alongside their usual medication. Researchers measure…

This study tested a new drug called NV-5138 in 250 adults with treatment-resistant depression (depression that hasn't improved with standard treatments). Participants took either the drug or a placebo for several weeks. The main goal was to see if the drug reduces depression symp…

This early study tested whether a carefully controlled dose of propofol, a common anesthetic, could safely boost brain slow waves in 16 older adults with treatment-resistant depression. Participants received two propofol infusions days apart while researchers monitored brain acti…

This study tested an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation, a type of brain stimulation, in 40 people with treatment-resistant depression. Participants received multiple sessions per day targeting the left or both sides of the brain. Researchers measured changes in depr…

This study tested whether 20 minutes of treadmill exercise before TMS therapy could make the brain more responsive and improve depression outcomes. Twenty-six adults with treatment-resistant depression participated. The main goals were to see if people would accept and stick with…

This study looked at whether omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and improve mood in adults with treatment-resistant depression. Fourteen participants who were already on antidepressants but still depressed were randomly given either omega-3 supplements or a placebo for 1…

This study looks at how nitrous oxide (laughing gas) changes brain activity in people with treatment-resistant depression. Researchers used ultrasound and MRI to measure brain blood flow and connectivity before, during, and after a one-hour dose of the gas. The goal is to find br…

This study tested a new computer system that uses MRI scans to help guide a brain stimulation technique called TMS. Twenty healthy volunteers had an MRI and then a TMS session to record coil positions. The goal was to improve targeting accuracy for future depression treatments, n…

This study looked at whether schema therapy, a type of talk therapy, could help people with depression that hasn't gotten better with usual treatments. Two participants received 30 therapy sessions over about a year. The goal was to see if this approach is feasible and to learn h…

This study tested an accelerated form of brain stimulation (theta-burst TMS) in 48 adults with treatment-resistant depression. Half received real stimulation, half received sham. The main goal was to measure changes in brain connectivity using MRI, not to directly treat depressio…

This study tested whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can treat depression even when its psychedelic effects are blocked by another drug (risperidone). Forty-one adults with treatment-resistant depression received either psilocybin alone, psilocybin plus…