MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

This early-phase study tested whether a single infusion of donor stem cells is safe for people struggling with both alcohol use disorder and major depression. 31 adults received either stem cells or a placebo, and researchers monitored for serious side effects like suicidal thoug…

This study tested whether doing moderate exercise right before a therapy session helps people with major depression get more out of their treatment. Forty adults either exercised or rested before each of 8 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions. Researchers measured h…

This study tested a new drug, ropanicant, in 41 adults with moderate to severe major depression. The main goal was to see if the drug is safe and to measure any side effects. Researchers also looked at whether depression symptoms improved using a standard rating scale.

This early study tested an experimental drug called ENX-104 in 48 adults with major depressive disorder who also experience anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure). The main goal was to check the drug's safety and how the body processes it. Researchers measured side effects and …

This study tested whether adding whole-body hyperthermia (a treatment that safely raises body temperature) to standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could help adults with major depression. Thirty participants received either real or sham heat sessions alongside weekly thera…

This study tested an experimental drug called SPN-820 in 40 adults with major depressive disorder. The goal was to see if the drug safely reduces depression symptoms over time. Researchers measured mood changes using standard depression rating scales.

This small study tested a single dose of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, in 9 adults with both major depression and borderline personality disorder. Researchers measured changes in depression and BPD symptoms over time to see if the treatment was safe and he…

This study tested an experimental oral drug, GM-1020, in 46 adults with major depressive disorder. The goal was to check safety and see if it can quickly improve mood. Researchers measured side effects and depression scores over 24 hours to assess the drug's potential.

This study looked at whether psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) alone or combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people with major depression. 60 adults who were already on standard antidepressants took part. The goal was to see if these treat…

This study tested a new way to treat depression by combining two therapies: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain, and cognitive therapy, a type of talk therapy. The goal was to see if using brain scans to guide the…

This small study tested a new virtual reality (VR) treatment called VR-Moodboost in 12 teenagers with depression. The therapy focuses on increasing positive emotions, which standard treatments often miss. Over 12 weekly sessions with a psychologist, participants used VR to enhanc…

This study tested whether osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) — a gentle, hands-on therapy — can help reduce symptoms of major depression when added to standard care. Twenty-five adults with moderate to severe depression received weekly 30-minute OMT sessions for 8 weeks. Re…

This study tested whether very small, non-hallucinogenic doses of psilocybin (2 mg) could safely improve mood in 39 adults with major depressive disorder. Participants took the microdose and researchers measured changes in depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms using a standa…

This study tested whether an antiviral drug (valganciclovir) could improve depression symptoms and brain health in 20 adults with major depressive disorder who also carry the common cytomegalovirus (CMV). Participants took the drug or a placebo for 8 weeks and had brain scans and…

This study looked at whether a special type of hot yoga (hyperthermic yoga) can help adults with mild to moderate depression. 80 people were randomly assigned to either do the yoga twice a week for 8 weeks or be placed on a waitlist. The goal was to see if the yoga was acceptable…

This early study tested whether a faster schedule of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) could work for major depression. Normally, TMS requires daily visits for weeks, but this study compressed the schedule. 11 adults with depression tried the accelerated approach, and resea…

This study tested an experimental drug called AGN-241751 in 226 adults with major depressive disorder. The goal was to see if the drug could safely reduce depression symptoms better than a placebo. Participants received either the drug or a placebo, and their depression levels we…

This study tested a type of brain stimulation called theta burst stimulation (TBS) for people with major depression. 238 adults who had not gotten enough help from standard treatments received either real TBS or a fake version over 6 weeks. The goal was to see if TBS could reduce…

This study tested whether a single therapy (Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy) can effectively treat veterans with PTSD, major depression, or panic disorder, compared to using separate therapies for each condition. 304 veterans participated, and their symptoms were measured before…

This study looked at whether adding the drug lumateperone to standard antidepressants is safe for people with major depressive disorder. Over 800 adults took the combination for 26 weeks, and researchers tracked side effects and mood changes. The goal was to see if this add-on th…

This study tested whether adding internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) helps people with major depression more than TMS alone. Forty adults receiving TMS at UCLA took part. The goal was to see if the combined approach improve…

This study tested an experimental oral drug, NMRA-335140, against a placebo in 383 adults with major depressive disorder. Participants took the drug or placebo daily for 6 weeks to see if it reduced depression symptoms. The goal was to find a new treatment option for people with …

This study looked at how well valbenazine works for tardive dyskinesia, a condition causing uncontrollable movements often linked to psychiatric medications. Fifty-nine adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression took valbenazine for up to 24 weeks. Researche…

This study tested if low-dose ketamine can quickly help teenagers whose depression hasn't improved with standard antidepressants. Researchers enrolled 12 teens aged 13-19 with treatment-resistant depression. They measured changes in depression scores to see if ketamine works bett…

This study looked at whether psychological treatment can help people who struggle with repetitive negative thinking, such as mental rituals in OCD, worries in anxiety, or ruminations in depression. 65 adults in Massachusetts participated. The goal was to see if treatment improves…

This study tested two anesthetic drugs, propofol and a mix called ketofol, in 80 adults with major depression receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The goal was to see which one keeps blood pressure more stable during the procedure. Results may help doctors choose the safer …

This Phase 3 trial tested whether solriamfetol, a drug already used for sleep disorders, can safely improve mood in adults with major depression. 346 participants received either the drug or a placebo. Researchers measured depression symptoms and side effects to see if this appro…

This study looked at the long-term safety of the drug BHV-7000 in 233 adults with major depressive disorder. Participants had already completed an earlier study. The main goal was to track serious side effects and other health changes. The study did not test how well the drug wor…

This study tested a non-drug program called BE-SMART-DR in 65 teens and young adults with bipolar disorder or major depression who had suicidal thoughts or past attempts. The therapy teaches self-guided strategies to regularize sleep and daily routines, aiming to lower short-term…

This study tested an experimental drug called ALTO-203 in 69 adults with moderate major depressive disorder and anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure). Participants received either a low dose, a higher dose, or a placebo, and were monitored for mood changes, safety, and side ef…

This study tested whether using an extended reality (XR) headset to do behavioral activation therapy could help people with major depressive disorder. 26 adults with depression tried either XR-based therapy or standard real-life therapy. The goal was to see if the XR approach was…

This study looked at whether taking aspirin and ketamine by mouth at the same time can help adults whose depression hasn't improved with standard antidepressants. Fifteen people with treatment-resistant depression took the combination and were monitored for changes in their sympt…

This study looked at whether semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, can help improve thinking and memory problems in people with major depression. The trial included 72 overweight adults aged 18 to 60 who had below-average scores on a thinking test. Participants r…

This study tested a type of talk therapy called interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for women who had major depression after losing a baby (miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death). 199 women in Michigan took part. The goal was to see if IPT helps them recover from depression fas…

This study tested whether a 30-minute session of baroque music could lower anxiety in adults with major depressive disorder and anxiety symptoms. Eighteen participants listened to specially chosen baroque pieces designed to move through different emotions. Researchers measured an…

This study tested a home-use device that sends mild electrical currents to the brain (tDCS) to ease depression. 174 adults with major depressive disorder used the device or a fake version for 10 weeks. The goal was to see if the real device reduces depression symptoms better than…

This study tested an experimental drug called NBI-1070770 in 73 adults with major depressive disorder. The goal was to see if it could safely and quickly improve depression symptoms compared to a placebo. Participants continued their usual antidepressants during the trial.

This study tested a new way to use deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS) to treat major depression. About 104 adults with depression received either the new or standard stimulation method. The goal was to see if the new method is as safe and effective at easing depres…

This study tested a new medication called BHV-7000 in 336 adults with moderate to severe major depression. Participants stopped their usual antidepressants and took either the study drug or a placebo for 6 weeks. The main goal was to see if BHV-7000 reduces depression symptoms be…

This study compared two treatments—electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and intravenous ketamine—in 70 adults whose depression did not improve with standard medications. Over three weeks, researchers measured changes in mood and thinking skills to see which treatment worked better and…

This study tested whether giving primary care doctors access to remote internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (eCBT) helps patients with major depression in rural West Virginia and Kentucky. Over 1,200 adults who recently started depression treatment took part. Researchers mea…

This small study tested a new way of using mild electrical currents on the scalp (tDCS) to help people with depression that hasn't gotten better with other treatments. The approach used stronger and more frequent sessions than usual. Only 3 people took part, and the main goal was…

This study tested whether a natural steroid called pregnenolone can reduce depression in women going through menopause or perimenopause. 73 women received either pregnenolone or a placebo. The goal was to see if it improves mood, anxiety, thinking, and quality of life. The study …

This study tested a 10-week, at-home cognitive training program for veterans with major depression and a history of suicide attempts. The program, delivered via video calls, focused on improving decision-making and problem-solving skills. Only 9 veterans participated, so results …

This study tested an experimental drug called ALTO-100 in 301 adults with moderate to severe major depression. Some participants took the drug alone, others added it to their current antidepressant. The goal was to see if ALTO-100 reduces depression symptoms better than a placebo…

This small pilot study tested whether laughing gas (nitrous oxide) can improve mood in people with major depression. 11 participants received either laughing gas or a comparison drug, and had brain scans to look for changes in brain activity. The goal was to see if laughing gas c…

This study tested whether customizing brain stimulation (called iTBS) to each person's brain activity could better treat depression that hasn't responded to medication. 75 adults with treatment-resistant depression received 20 sessions over 4 weeks, comparing fully personalized s…

This study tested a program called Metacognitive Training (MCT) in 18 adults with schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder in Taiwan. Over four weeks, participants attended eight group sessions designed to help them recognize and adjust unhelpful thinking patterns. Th…

This study tested whether a special video game could help reduce symptoms of depression in adults with major depressive disorder. Over 1,000 participants played the game for 12 weeks while researchers tracked changes in their mood using standard questionnaires. The goal was to se…

This study tested whether adding SEP-363856 to standard antidepressants helps adults with major depression who didn't get enough relief from prior treatments. About 929 adults aged 18-65 took either the study drug or a placebo for several weeks. The main goal was to see if depres…

This study tested a new lighting system that changes brightness and color throughout the day to mimic sunlight, installed in hospital rooms for people with major depression. 60 inpatients were randomly assigned to either the dynamic LED light or standard room light. The goal was …

This study tested whether using a person's genetic information (DNA) to select antidepressant medication can improve depression and anxiety in cancer patients. 99 adults with cancer and mild to severe depression or anxiety were randomly assigned to either DNA-guided drug selectio…

This study tested a non-drug treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for depression in people over 60. The treatment uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas linked to mood, aiming to reduce symptoms with few side effects. Researchers compared re…

This early-stage study tested whether combining psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) with cognitive behavioral therapy is safe and helpful for people with depression. Sixteen adults received two doses of psilocybin along with 12 therapy sessions. The goal was to …

This study looked at whether celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory drug, can reduce brain inflammation in people with major depression. Forty-one adults with depression received brain scans before and after 8 weeks of celecoxib treatment. The goal was to see if lowering inflammation in…

This study looked at whether certain proteins called beta-arrestins can help predict how well people with major depression will respond to the antidepressant venlafaxine. Researchers measured these proteins in blood samples and tracked depression symptoms over three months in 67 …

This study looked at how a gentle nerve stimulation technique (tVNS) affects stress-related brain activity and body functions in people with major depression. 62 adults received either real or fake stimulation during brain scans. The goal was to understand sex differences in stre…

This study tested a new way to deliver brain stimulation (rTMS) for people with depression that hasn't responded to medication. The approach uses real-time brain monitoring to personalize the stimulation. 44 adults participated to see how well the method engages brain targets and…

This study looked at how ghrelin, a hormone made in the stomach that signals hunger, affects motivation, energy use, and mood. Researchers gave ghrelin or a placebo to 24 people—some with depression and some healthy—and measured their willingness to work for food or money rewards…

This study looked at healthy girls aged 12-14 and their mothers to find early signs of depression. Researchers used interviews, computer tasks, saliva samples, and brain scans to see how mood and brain activity are linked. The goal was to learn more about what might predict depre…

This small study looked at whether schema therapy, a type of talking therapy, can help people with depression that hasn't improved with standard treatments. Two patients received 30 therapy sessions over about a year. The goal was to see if this approach is practical and to learn…

This study looked at how deep brain stimulation (DBS) influences the way people approach or avoid difficult decisions. Researchers tested 13 adults with DBS implants for severe OCD or depression, plus epilepsy patients with temporary brain electrodes. Participants played a comput…

This early-stage study tested the safety and tolerability of single doses of an experimental drug called AGN-241751 (zelquistinel) in 68 healthy volunteers. The goal was to see how the body handles the drug and if it causes any side effects, not to treat depression. The study is …

This study looked for brain-based signs (biomarkers) that could help predict suicide risk in people with major depression. Researchers used brain scans to measure how participants process pain, reward, and attention. The goal was to find markers that could identify those at highe…

This study tested whether a special job support program (IPS-MA) helps people with mood or anxiety disorders return to work or school faster than standard care. 326 adults who were unable to work within three months took part. The program focuses on finding competitive employment…

This study looked at how the brain's reward system helps improve mood in people with depression. Researchers used brain scans, magnetic stimulation, and medications to understand these signals. 120 adults with mild depression took part. The goal was to learn more, not to test a n…

This study aimed to find out if brain scans and simple behavior tests can help doctors choose the right antidepressant for people with depression who also have anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure). 133 adults with major depression completed brain imaging and reward-based task…

This study followed 300 pregnant women, some with a history of mood disorders and some without, to understand why some develop depression or other mood problems after giving birth. Researchers collected blood samples and tracked sleep, stress, and other factors to find genetic, h…

This study looked at how the brain chemical glutamate and its receptor mGluR5 are involved in major depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Researchers used MRI and PET scans along with cognitive tests to measure brain activity. The goal was to better understand these conditions,…

This completed study from the University of Nottingham interviewed 12 people with persistent major depression who were offered a group exercise program. Researchers wanted to learn what stops patients from joining or sticking with exercise, and what helps them take part. The goal…

This study looked at whether a digital training platform helps clinicians use a mobile health app called FOCUS to support people with serious mental illness like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. About 191 adults used the app and received coaching from trained…

This study looked at whether brain insulin resistance plays a role in depression during adolescence. Researchers used MRI scans to compare brain activity in 24 teens with and without depression after they received insulin or a placebo through a nasal spray. The goal was to unders…

This study looked at 205 pairs of caregivers with major depression and their children (ages 7-17) with asthma. Instead of a controlled trial, researchers tracked both over a year to see if improvements in the caregiver's depression led to better asthma control in the child. The g…

This study looked at how everyday stress might harm blood vessels and thinking skills in people aged 40 to 55. Seventeen participants tracked their stress online for 14 days, then had their blood vessel function tested in a lab. The goal was to see if stress-related changes in bl…

This study looked at 228 adults with major depression and healthy volunteers to see if natural compounds in the blood, genetic markers, and gut bacteria differ between the groups. Depressed participants took a standard antidepressant for 8 weeks while researchers tracked changes …

This study looked at how ghrelin, a hormone released when you're hungry, affects brain chemicals linked to motivation. Researchers gave ghrelin or a saltwater placebo to 26 healthy adults and people with depression, then used brain scans to measure dopamine activity and motivatio…

This study tested a new way to deliver brain stimulation (rTMS) for depression by targeting each person's unique brain network. Fifty adults with major depression received different types of stimulation in a random order to see which approach worked best. The goal was to gather i…

This study looked at how social factors like income, housing, and stress, along with depression, affect blood vessel health in 105 low-income racial and ethnic minority adults. Participants completed questionnaires about their mental health, social needs, and lifestyle. The goal …

This study looked at how people with current depression, those who have recovered from depression, and healthy people react physically to emotions. Researchers measured heart rate, breathing, skin sweat, and brain blood flow during emotional tasks. The goal was to understand the …

This study tested whether people with major depression who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods could cut back on them. Twenty adults tried a personalized diet change for a short time. The goal was to see if it was possible and acceptable, not to measure health effects. Results wil…