DEPRESSION - MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Stanford University is studying whether the drug pramipexole can help people with depression, and if its effects depend on specific brain circuits. Sixty adults with recent depressive symptoms will take pramipexole for 8 weeks, then taper off over 2 weeks. The study uses brain im…

This study tests whether an 8-week home-based breathing exercise called Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) can reduce dementia risk in adults aged 60-80. Researchers will measure changes in blood pressure, thinking skills, mood, and sleep quality. The goal is to see if t…

This study tests whether measuring drug levels in the blood can help doctors give the right dose of antidepressants (sertraline, escitalopram, or fluoxetine) to hospitalized children and adults with major depression. About 180 participants will receive one of these medications, a…

This Phase 2 trial tests whether dexamfetamine, a stimulant used for ADHD, can safely and effectively treat both ADHD and moderate to severe depression in adults. 105 participants will receive either a fast-acting or long-acting version of the drug, or a placebo. The study is cur…

This study tests whether a coordinated care program called I-CONNECT can improve the health and well-being of older adults (65+) who have depression or bipolar disorder and at least two chronic physical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Participants receive persona…

This Phase 3 study tests whether CYB003, a psilocin analog (related to the active ingredient in magic mushrooms), can safely reduce depression symptoms in 330 adults with major depressive disorder. Participants receive either one of two doses of CYB003 or a placebo, along with ps…

This small study tests if a non-invasive device that stimulates the brain during sleep can increase deep sleep in adults with depression. Researchers want to see if better deep sleep helps with memory, thinking, and mood. Participants wear a headband and activity tracker at home …

This study is testing whether a single dose of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with mindfulness-based therapy can help people with PTSD. Thirty adults with PTSD will receive psilocybin along with either standard support or extra mindfulness training…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce pain and depression in people with fibromyalgia. About 36 adults with chronic pain, some also depressed, will receive either real or sham (fake) rTMS to two brain areas. Researchers will tr…

This study tests whether combining a brain stimulation technique called rTMS with a computer-based thinking exercise (CBM) can reduce negative thinking and depressive symptoms in people with mild-to-moderate depression. About 180 adults will receive either real or fake rTMS, and …

This study compares group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to standard individual therapy for young people aged 16-25 with depression, anxiety, or stress. About 212 participants will be randomly assigned to either group ACT or individual therapy. The goal is to see i…

This study tests a smartphone app called AMP-C that teaches people to notice and enjoy positive events. The goal is to see if it can reduce depression and cannabis use in adults who struggle with both. Eighty participants will either use the app or just track their symptoms. The …

This study tests whether giving flumazenil, a drug that reverses the effects of benzodiazepines, right before electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can reduce cognitive side effects like memory loss in hospitalized patients with depression. About 145 participants will either continue t…

This pilot study tests whether MRI-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is safe and feasible for treating depression in 45 adolescents aged 12-18. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either targeted brain stimulation, standard stimulation, or a sha…

This study tests whether an AI-guided cognitive behavioral therapy program can reduce symptoms of mild depression and anxiety in adults. Over 10 weeks, 120 participants will either receive AI-guided therapy through a digital platform or standard care. The goal is to see if AI can…

This study is testing whether an online, self-guided dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) course is practical and helpful for adults with mild-to-moderate depression or anxiety. Up to 40 participants will take the 8-week course, which teaches skills like mindfulness and emotion reg…

This study tests whether psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) is safe and tolerable for veterans with spinal cord injury who also have depression. Thirty participants will receive low, medium, or high doses and be monitored for side effects like pain, muscle spas…

This study tests a new, non-invasive brain stimulation method using low-intensity ultrasound waves aimed at specific brain areas linked to depression. Researchers will personalize the treatment for each of the 30 participants based on their brain scans. The goal is to see if this…

This study tests a brief group therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for insomnia (ACT-i) in 76 adults aged 18-59 with chronic insomnia and mild depression or anxiety. Participants are randomly assigned to either ACT-i or a general support group. The goal is to see if …

This study tests an AI-driven online cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) for people with major depressive disorder. 100 adults will receive either the AI therapy or a sham relaxation session over 8 weeks. Researchers will track mood, stress, and quality of life to see if the digi…

This study looks at whether a Mediterranean diet or a Mediterranean diet combined with time-restricted eating (eating only during a 10-hour window) can help college students with mild to moderate depression. Researchers will track sleep, mood, and daily activity to see if these d…

This study explores whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help people with depression who have lost the ability to feel pleasure (anhedonia). Researchers will give 85 participants two doses of psilocybin, sometimes blocking its psychedelic effects with…

This early-stage study at Yale is testing whether a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin is safe and tolerable for people whose daily life is impaired by mood, anxiety, trauma, or addiction symptoms. Fifty participants will receive the drug openly (everyone knows they get it) and be f…

This study tests a special mental health program for people who have been in the ICU. It includes coaching, digital tools, and psychiatric support to help with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The goal is to see if this program works better than usual care. About 150 adults who vis…

This pilot study tests a behavioral health program designed to support family members of ICU survivors. The program includes telehealth check-ins and a digital platform to track mood and stress. Researchers want to see if this approach is practical and helpful for reducing anxiet…

This study explores whether adding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to ketamine treatment is practical for 30 adults who have both alcohol use disorder and treatment-resistant depression. Participants will receive weekly ketamine infusions and ACT sessions for 8 weeks. The…

This study tests whether adding virtual reality (VR) mindfulness sessions to standard treatment can help people with treatment-resistant depression feel better. Thirty adults who haven't responded to multiple antidepressants will either get usual care alone or usual care plus 8 V…

This study tests whether using a virtual reality (VR) headset can make behavioral activation therapy more effective for older adults (65+) with major depression. Thirty participants will use VR to engage in activities that boost mood, and researchers will measure changes in depre…

This study tests whether a three-week virtual reality cognitive training program, combined with a daily supplement (sodium butyrate), can improve memory, attention, and thinking speed in 160 adults aged 50+ who have had depression or bipolar disorder but are currently stable. Par…

This study tests a new psychological therapy designed for people whose depression is linked to difficult childhood experiences. The therapy aims to improve mood, emotional control, and distressing thoughts. Researchers will also look at biological changes in the blood. The trial …

This study tests a free, online single-session therapy for children and teens (ages 12-17) in Hong Kong who are waiting for in-person psychotherapy. The goal is to quickly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while they wait. Participants will be randomly assigned to either …

This study tests whether giving multiple sessions of magnetic brain stimulation each day works better than the usual one-session-per-day approach for treating depression in people aged 60 and older. About 280 participants will receive active treatment, with some getting the accel…

This study tests whether online group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms in adults with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers. Participants will attend 13 sessions via Zoom and be compared to those receiving supporti…

This study tests a 10-session meditation practice combined with real-time brain feedback to help ease depression. Twenty-seven adults with moderate depression will participate. The goal is to see if this approach can improve mood and reduce symptoms.

This study tests whether PROSE treatment—a custom contact lens that soothes the eye surface—can also improve mental health in people with major depression. Researchers will track depression scores and eye symptoms in 200 adults over time. The goal is to see if treating severe dry…

This study compares two non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for treating depression: right-sided 1-Hz rTMS and left-sided iTBS. Researchers want to see if the right-sided method works as well as the standard left-sided one. The trial will involve 350 adults with unipolar or…

This study compares three ways to treat moderate depression in adults aged 18-65: usual care from a general practitioner, behavioral therapy from a psychologist, or a structured step-by-step treatment plan from a GP. The goal is to see if the structured plan works better at easin…

This study tests whether a fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) — transferring healthy gut bacteria from a donor — can help adults with major depression who aren't getting better with standard antidepressants. About 214 participants will receive either FMT or a placebo, and research…

This study compares heated yoga, sauna sessions, and a mindfulness app to see which best reduces symptoms of depression. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are recruiting 120 adults aged 18-65 with moderate to severe depression. Participants will attend twice-weekly se…

This study tests whether a smartphone app that prompts physical activity can help adults with moderate depression feel better. Fifty participants will either use the app for four weeks or have their symptoms monitored without the app. Researchers will measure changes in depressiv…

This early-phase trial is testing whether a generative AI chatbot called Therabot-CALM is usable and acceptable for people with cannabis use disorder who also have anxiety or depression. Fifteen participants will use the app for 4 weeks and give feedback through interviews and su…

This research study examines how brain activity changes during emotional and thinking tasks in people with depression and healthy volunteers. Using brain scans (EEG, fMRI) and mild brain stimulation (TMS), researchers aim to understand the brain circuits involved in mood and suic…

This study explores whether mild electrical stimulation of the spine can change how the brain processes body signals, which may be disrupted in major depression. Researchers will test different stimulation levels in 67 adults with depression to see if it affects brain activity an…

This study uses brain imaging (fMRI) to investigate why people with schizophrenia or depression often have trouble with memory and managing emotions. Researchers will scan the brains of 90 adults aged 18-60 while they perform tasks and at rest. The goal is to better understand th…

This study watches how daily emotional stress impacts memory and thinking in adults aged 60 and older living in Seoul, Korea. Participants use a smartphone app to report their feelings and do quick brain games, wear a smartwatch, and give blood samples. Researchers will check in …

This study is testing whether a new blood test can help tell the difference between depression and schizophrenia, and whether it can show if a treatment is working. Researchers will take blood samples and do mental health check-ins with 500 adults over several visits. The goal is…

This study at the University of Oxford is testing how the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) influences the way healthy young people process anger. Eighty participants aged 18-24 will take either fluoxetine or a placebo for 7 days and complete tasks involving angry faces, words, …

This study is observing how the medication trazodone helps older adults (55+) who have both major depression and mild memory or thinking problems. Researchers will track changes in depression symptoms and thinking skills during routine care in Italy, Poland, and Romania. The goal…

This study looks at how thinking skills (like memory and focus) are linked to sick leave in people with depression or anxiety. Researchers will give metacognitive therapy with a work focus to 200 patients at risk of sick leave. They want to see if the therapy improves symptoms an…

This study aims to identify subgroups of people with diabetes who share similar patterns between their blood sugar levels and mental health. By using smartphone surveys and continuous glucose monitors, researchers will create 'digital twins'—virtual models that can predict how me…