MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

This study tests whether valbenazine can reduce involuntary muscle movements in people with tardive dyskinesia who still have symptoms despite prior treatment. About 50 adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression will take valbenazine for 24 weeks. The goal i…

This study is for adults with major depressive disorder who have already completed a shorter trial of the investigational drug NMRA-335140. Over 52 weeks, researchers will monitor safety and how well the drug continues to work. The goal is to see if this medication can be a safe,…

This study is for people with hard-to-treat depression who have already benefited from a type of brain stimulation called rTMS. It tests whether continuing rTMS sessions over 6 months can help maintain that improvement. 75 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three gr…

This study tests whether an experimental drug called NBI-1065845 can help people with major depression stay well longer when added to their usual antidepressant. About 550 adults who haven't fully responded to current antidepressants will receive either the study drug or a placeb…

This study tests a program called Taking Action, where trained peers lead five sessions to help college students with serious mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. About 300 students will be randomly assigned to the program or to receive informatio…

This study tests a long-acting injection of cariprazine given once a month under the skin. It is for people with schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, or major depressive disorder who are stable on other medications. The goal is to check safety, how the drug moves in the body, and i…

This study tests whether giving a stronger medication earlier helps people with schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar depression whose first treatment didn't work. About 1,254 adults will receive either standard second-line treatment or an early intensified third-line treat…

This study tests whether adding intravenous ketamine to internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (i-CBT) can quickly reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people with treatment-resistant depression. About 110 adults will receive weekly i-CBT for 13 weeks, and half will al…

This study compares a new, lower-energy seizure therapy (LAP-ST) to standard electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for quickly reducing suicidal thoughts in people with depression, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. About 30 adults will receive one of the two treatments. Th…

This study tests an experimental drug called azetukalner in 450 adults with moderate-to-severe major depression. Participants take the drug or a placebo daily for 6 weeks to see if it reduces depression symptoms like low mood and loss of interest. The goal is to find a new treatm…

This study tests an experimental oral drug called CYB003 for people with major depressive disorder. The goal is to see if it safely reduces depression symptoms better than a placebo. About 220 adults aged 18 to 85 with moderate to severe depression are being recruited. Participan…

This study aims to find better ways to treat depression in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). About 201 adults with advanced CKD and major depression will receive either behavioral activation teletherapy plus a non-SSRI antidepressant, the antidepressant plus teletherapy, …

This study tests whether a faster version of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can safely and effectively reduce depression symptoms. Researchers will enroll 50 people aged 15 and older with major depressive disorder who haven't improved with at least one antidepressant. Th…

This study tests whether a 40 Hz flickering light, used at home for one hour daily, can reduce depression symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. Sixty participants will receive either the active flickering light or a placebo light for six weeks. The goal is to see if …

This study tests the long-term safety of an experimental drug called NBI-1065845 when added to standard antidepressants for people with major depression. About 850 adults who haven't gotten enough relief from current treatments will take the drug for up to a year. The main goal i…

This study tests whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can safely reduce depression in 80 autistic youth and young adults. Participants receive either real or fake rTMS sessions to see if the treatment improves mood and reduces suicidal thoughts. The goal is…

This study tests a gentle brain stimulation technique called temporal interference stimulation (TIS) to see if it can reduce non-suicidal self-injury in teenagers with major depression. Sixty adolescents aged 12-22 will receive either real TIS or a placebo treatment. The goal is …

This study tests whether semaglutide, a once-weekly injection used for weight loss and diabetes, can help improve mood in people with major depression who are also overweight or obese. Over 26 weeks, 116 participants will receive either semaglutide or a placebo, in addition to th…

This early study is testing whether a gentle, personalized electrical brain stimulation (tACS) is safe and tolerable for pregnant women with depression. Ten participants (5 with depression and 5 healthy) will receive the stimulation and be monitored for side effects and birth out…

This study tests whether resistance exercise (like weight lifting) can reduce symptoms of major depression. Two hundred adults with depression will do either a high or low dose exercise program for 16 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in mood and brain blood flow to see if …

This study tests whether a new drug called NBI-1065845 can improve depression symptoms in adults who still feel depressed despite taking standard antidepressants. About 200 participants will receive either the study drug or a placebo pill alongside their usual medication for 8 we…

This study tests a new drug, icalcaprant, for people with major depression. About 195 adults will take either the drug or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. The goal is to see if it reduces depression symptoms and is safe. Participants will have regular check-ups and questionnaires.

This study compares two brain stimulation treatments—electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and magnetic seizure therapy (MST)—in 200 people with major depressive disorder. Researchers will measure changes in depression and anxiety symptoms, heart rate, and cognitive function to see whi…

This study tests a new approach for people with major depression that hasn't improved with standard treatments. Thirty participants will receive a single session that combines psychotherapy, a type of brain stimulation called TMS, and either real or fake electrical brain stimulat…

This study tests whether adding the antibiotic minocycline to usual antidepressants can help people who have both obesity and treatment-resistant depression. Researchers believe that inflammation may play a role in these conditions, and minocycline can reduce inflammation. The st…

This study tests whether an 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion training program can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It compares delivering the program in-person versus through videoconference. The study involves 80 adults diagnosed with anxiety disorders or major depressio…

This study tests whether adding NBI-1065845 to standard antidepressants can better reduce depression symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. About 200 participants who haven't fully responded to their current antidepressant will receive either the study drug or a place…

This study tests whether tocilizumab, a drug that blocks inflammation signals, can improve the brain's ability to feel pleasure in people with major depression who have signs of immune activation. Up to 20 adults with depression will receive the drug for 8 weeks, while 20 healthy…

This study tests a new drug called azetukalner for adults with moderate-to-severe major depression. About 450 people will receive either the drug or a placebo for 6 weeks. The goal is to see if the drug reduces depression symptoms and improves pleasure in daily life.

This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation method called deep TMS in 28 adults over 60 who have Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment along with depression that hasn't improved with medication. The treatment uses a special coil to stimulate deeper brain areas fo…

This study tests a faster version of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression in pregnant and postpartum individuals. Instead of daily sessions for 6-8 weeks, participants receive multiple sessions each day for just 5 days. The goal is to see if this accelerated app…

This study looks at whether a type of therapy called Behavioral Activation (BA) can change the habit of repetitive negative thinking (rumination) in people with major depression. About 120 adults with current depression will receive 12 BA sessions over 11 weeks. Researchers will …

This study tests a new type of talk therapy that helps people with depression correct how they see themselves. It compares this therapy to a standard approach called ACT. The goal is to see if it reduces depression symptoms and prevents relapse over 6 months. About 86 adults with…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can improve both depression and chronic pain symptoms. Fifty-four adults with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder and pain will receive 30 treatments over several weeks. Researchers will trac…

This early-stage study tests an experimental drug called SP-624 in 36 adults—some healthy and some with major depression. Participants take the drug or a placebo daily for two weeks. Researchers use EEG brain scans and AI to see if SP-624 changes brain activity and improves memor…

This study tests a faster version of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for people hospitalized with major depression who haven't improved with standard treatments. Researchers will personalize the stimulation frequency for each participant and deliver 25 session…

This study looks at whether adding a structured exercise program to standard antidepressant treatment can improve symptoms of major depression. Researchers will also use brain scans and blood tests to understand how exercise might reduce inflammation and change brain activity. Ab…

This study tests whether a supplement called pregnenolone can help reduce depression in people living with HIV. Researchers will give either pregnenolone or a placebo pill to 120 adults with HIV and depression, while they continue their usual antidepressant medications. Brain sca…

This study tests whether adding NBI-1065845 to standard antidepressants can better relieve depression symptoms. About 200 adults with major depression who haven't fully responded to current meds will receive either the study drug or a placebo for 8 weeks. The main goal is to see …

This study tests whether empagliflozin, a medication used for diabetes, can reduce symptoms of major depression. The drug helps the body produce ketones, which may provide an alternative energy source for the brain and improve mood. Sixteen adults with moderate to severe depressi…

This study tests whether baricitinib, a drug that blocks inflammation signals, can improve motivation and brain function in adults with major depression who have high inflammation. About 100 people aged 25-55 with depression and elevated C-reactive protein will receive the drug o…

This study tests whether a 4-week digital cognitive training program can improve apathy and brain function in adults aged 60 and older with major depression. Participants will use a computer program designed to target brain networks linked to motivation and control. The goal is t…

This study is testing whether combining psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) with a type of brain stimulation called aiTBS is safe and helpful for people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. About 100 adults aged 22-65 with treatment-resist…

This study compares two drugs, pramipexole and escitalopram, to see which better treats depression in people with HIV. It includes those with mild memory or thinking problems. About 186 adults will take one of the medications for several weeks, and researchers will track mood cha…

This study tests whether trained peer recovery specialists can effectively deliver a depression treatment called Behavioral Activation to people with both depression and substance use disorder. The goal is to improve access to mental health care in low-income communities. Researc…

This study is for adults with major depression who are at high risk for suicide. Participants will receive a series of ketamine infusions followed by esketamine nasal spray over 24 weeks. The goal is to see if this treatment plan is safe, tolerable, and effective at reducing suic…

This study tests if the drug vortioxetine can safely reduce depression symptoms in Japanese teenagers aged 12 to 17 with major depressive disorder. About 180 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo for 14 weeks, with follow-up for 4 more weeks. The goal is to see i…

This study tests a 12-session group program called "Better Together" for 20 single adults with severe mental illness (like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression). The program teaches communication, emotional regulation, and healthy relationship skills. Researchers …

This study tests whether a new oral drug called zelquistinel can reduce depression symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. Participants take one tablet weekly for 6 weeks and have their depression severity checked at each clinic visit. The trial compares zelquistinel t…

This study tests whether adding antidepressant medication to the Friendship Bench talk therapy works better than therapy alone for adults with moderate to severe depression in Zimbabwe. About 296 people will take part, and researchers will measure improvement using a standard dep…

This study explores whether nature-based tourism activities can improve symptoms in people with major depressive disorder. Researchers will measure changes in depression severity using standard scales. The goal is to understand how nature exposure might help through physical, men…

This study tests a 12-week therapy program that combines coping skills with trauma-focused care to help adults who had traumatic childhoods and are currently thinking about suicide. The goal is to see if this approach reduces suicidal thoughts and is practical and acceptable for …

This study tests whether using brain scans to guide magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve depression treatment for people who haven't gotten better with medication. About 348 adults aged 22 to 65 with moderate to severe depression will receive rTMS tailored to their brain conne…

This study looks at whether doing moderate aerobic exercise right before a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) session makes the therapy work better. One hundred adults with major depression will either exercise or rest quietly before each of 8 weekly therapy sessions. Researchers…

This study tests whether adding a new drug called ABX-002 to standard antidepressants can help adults with moderate to severe major depression who haven't gotten enough relief from their current medication. About 230 participants will receive either ABX-002 or a placebo for 6 wee…

This study tests whether a brain-training technique called real-time fMRI neurofeedback can help people with major depression. Participants learn to increase brain activity in the amygdala by recalling positive memories during a brain scan. The goal is to see if this can reduce d…

This study tests whether shining near infrared energy (a type of invisible light) on the forehead can change blood flow in the brains of people with major depression. About 120 adults aged 18-65 with depression will receive the light treatment and have their brain activity and de…

This study tests an experimental drug called zelquistinel (GATE-251) to see if it can reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder. About 164 adults with depression will take either the drug or a placebo once a week for 6 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in depression scor…

This study tests whether a 6-week intensified drug treatment (including esketamine) works better than usual care for people with major depression whose first antidepressant failed. About 418 adults aged 18-65 will take part. The goal is to quickly reduce symptoms and prevent the …

This study tests a new drug called GM-2505 for people with major depressive disorder. It involves two doses given two weeks apart. The goal is to see if the drug is safe and helps reduce depression symptoms. The study includes 124 adults aged 18 to 65 who are either not on antide…

This study tests a new approach for people with treatment-resistant depression by combining FDA-approved brain stimulation (iTBS) with digital mindfulness training. The goal is to improve brain plasticity, thinking skills, and mood. About 120 adults with moderate to severe depres…

This study tests whether a new medicine called SP-624 can safely reduce depression symptoms in adults with moderate to severe major depressive disorder. About 456 people will receive either SP-624 or a placebo (a dummy pill) for several weeks, and researchers will track changes i…

This study tests a technique called real-time fMRI neurofeedback, which shows people their own brain activity as they lie in an MRI scanner. The goal is to help 70 adults with major depression learn to better regulate brain activity, which may ease their symptoms. Participants wi…

This study looks at whether a child's genes can predict if they will have behavioral side effects from common antidepressants (SSRIs). Researchers will collect saliva samples from 120 children and young adults aged 6-24 with depression, anxiety, or OCD. The goal is to find geneti…

This study looks at how the natural rhythm of interaction between a person and their therapist (called synchrony) might improve depression treatment. Instead of assuming more synchrony is always better, researchers will measure each participant's unique synchrony style and see ho…

This study aims to see if a special algorithm can predict which antidepressant will work best for each person with major depression. Researchers will use brain scans, EEGs, blood tests, and questionnaires from 400 adults to personalize treatment. The goal is to improve outcomes b…

This study looks at whether a type of brain stimulation can help people with depression who have trouble feeling pleasure (anhedonia). Researchers will give 72 participants five days of stimulation and measure changes in brain activity and mood. The goal is to understand how brai…

This study looks at how nicotine changes brain activity in people with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to those without. Researchers will use MRI scans to measure brain function after giving participants either nicotine or a placebo. The goal is to understand why people …

This study aims to understand how repetitive brain stimulation (TMS) changes brain activity. Researchers will use special brain recordings from people with epilepsy or depression to find markers that show TMS is working. The goal is to make TMS a more effective treatment for depr…

This observational study looks at brain changes in people who developed major depression within 3 months after a mild or moderate COVID-19 infection. Researchers will use special PET scans to measure two brain chemicals in 90 adults aged 18 to 75. The goal is to understand the bi…

This study aims to understand how different parts of the brain's prefrontal cortex control behaviors in people with major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or schizophrenia. Participants will receive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) a…

This study looks at how natural hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affect mood and the ability to feel pleasure in women whose depression gets worse before their period. Researchers will give participants hormone patches and pills to stabilize hormone drops, then measure …

This study looks at how deep brain stimulation (DBS) affects electrical signals in the brain for people with severe depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. Ten participants will have a DBS device implanted and will track their mood and brain activity daily for a ye…

This study aims to find genetic markers that can predict which children and youth (ages 6-24) with depression, anxiety, or OCD may experience behavioral activation—a side effect like agitation or restlessness—when taking SSRI antidepressants. Researchers will analyze DNA from 160…

This study aims to learn more about how depression, bipolar disorder, and suicide risk affect people and how treatments work. Researchers will follow 500 adults already receiving care at the NIH, using interviews, questionnaires, and optional tests like blood draws and brain scan…

This study aims to find out whether the antidepressant effects of DMT come from the psychedelic experience itself or from biological changes in the brain. Researchers will give DMT to 112 adults with major depression, but some will also receive propofol to block the psychedelic e…

This study looks at whether treating depression with an FDA-approved antidepressant (escitalopram) can change brain and blood markers linked to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will compare the drug to a placebo in 60 adults aged 60 and older who have major depression but no memo…

This study looks at how stress affects the brain, body, and behavior in teenage girls who have a parent with depression. Researchers will use brain scans, smartwatches, and smartphone surveys to track stress responses in real life. The goal is to find early signs that could help …

This study aims to find brain biomarkers that can predict how well a person with major depression will respond to the antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft). Researchers will use fMRI and EEG to measure brain activity and connections in 50 adults with chronic or recurrent depression.…

This study tests whether a mild electrical current applied to the scalp (tDCS) can improve executive functions like memory, attention, and decision-making. Researchers will enroll 600 adults with conditions such as traumatic brain injury, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophren…

This study aims to understand the brain circuits involved in social motivation in adults who avoid social situations due to depression or social anxiety. Researchers will use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and MRI scans to measure brain activity while participants view e…

This study looks at how a specific brain system (the nociceptin receptor) affects decision-making and stress in people with current or past major depression. Researchers will use brain scans (MRI and PET), blood and saliva tests, and computer tasks to understand these connections…

This study looks at brain patterns linked to negative emotions in 40 adults with depression or anxiety. Researchers will use brain scans to create a personal 'negative emotion map' for each person, then test different types of magnetic stimulation (TMS) to find which one best dis…

This study looks at how childhood trauma and stress might change tiny genetic molecules called microRNAs in the blood. Researchers will compare 450 adults with depression or suicidal thoughts to healthy volunteers. The goal is to better understand the biological links between ear…

This study uses a safe, noninvasive light-based device (fNIRS) to measure brain activity in 200 adults with depression, bipolar disorder, or mild cognitive impairment. By comparing brain patterns across groups, researchers hope to better understand how these conditions affect the…

This study looks at how brain function and thinking skills are linked to anxiety in children and teens aged 8-17. Participants will have brain scans and complete thinking tasks before and after receiving either talk therapy (CBT) or the medication fluoxetine. The goal is to under…

This study looks at how the brain and immune system react differently in people with major depression compared to healthy volunteers. Participants receive a substance that briefly activates the immune system, and researchers measure brain activity, mood changes, and immune marker…

This study looks at how ketamine works in the brain to treat depression quickly. Researchers will use brain scans and other tests to understand why a single dose can lift mood within hours. About 150 adults with major depression and healthy volunteers will take part, receiving ke…

This study looks at how ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, works in the brain. Researchers want to see if blocking a specific receptor (AMPA) changes ketamine's effects. About 70 adults with treatment-resistant depression will stay at the clinic for 5 weeks, receive ketamine…

This study looks at how reacting strongly to daily stress might harm blood vessel function in working-age adults, and whether depression makes this worse. Researchers will measure stress responses and blood vessel health in 18 adults, some with depression and some without. No tre…

This study looks at how a 9-week talk therapy called Engage & Connect changes brain activity in older adults (ages 50-80) who have depression and suicidal thoughts. Researchers will use brain scans to see if the therapy boosts activity in brain areas linked to feeling rewarded by…

This study uses brain scans to see if psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) changes how the brain works in people with depression. Fifty adults will receive either psilocybin or a placebo during two therapy sessions, and have an MRI to measure brain activity and b…

This study follows 1,000 adults with hard-to-treat depression or OCD who are getting advanced treatments like ECT, TMS, or ketamine. Researchers collect brain scans, voice recordings, and other tests before, during, and after treatment. The goal is to find biological markers that…

This study aims to find brain changes that cause depression in people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers will use brain scans to compare 120 participants aged 40-80 with and without depression. The goal is to identify targets for future treatments.

This study looks at how two different talk therapies help people with major depression. One therapy focuses on a person's weaknesses, the other on their strengths. Researchers want to see which approach works better for different people. About 124 adults will take part in a 4-mon…

This study aims to understand how the brain processes rewards in people with depression. Researchers will record brain activity from 10 adults with epilepsy and depression while they make decisions in a gambling task. The goal is to identify abnormal brain signals that could guid…

This study uses a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS to see how stimulating specific brain networks changes brain activity and mood in people with depression and healthy volunteers. The goal is to understand why rTMS works for depression and how to make treatmen…

This study looks at different types of depression by tracking how people manage their emotions in daily life. Researchers will measure heart rate changes and use a simple biofeedback app to see if it helps improve emotional control. The goal is to find which depression subtypes r…

This study at Stanford University looks at how brain excitability relates to depression. Researchers will use magnetic pulses to measure brain responses in 145 adults with moderate-to-severe depression. The goal is to find better ways to target brain areas for future treatments.

This study aims to understand why medical students develop depression and other mental health problems. Researchers will follow up to 10,000 students for up to 12 years each, comparing those who enter medical school with those who do not. Participants fill out yearly online quest…

This study looks at how facial expressions and speech patterns can show what someone is feeling inside. Researchers will record brain activity in people with depression or epilepsy while they watch videos and answer questions. The goal is to find better ways to measure mood conti…

This study looks at how a fast form of brain stimulation called iTBS works in people with major depression. Researchers will use brain scans to compare real iTBS to a fake version in 22 adults, then give everyone real treatment for 6 weeks. The goal is to understand how iTBS chan…