Nasal spray could offer new hope for Treatment-Resistant depression
NCT ID NCT07716098
First seen Jul 21, 2026 · Last updated Aug 28, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether esketamine nasal spray, used by itself, can reduce depression symptoms in adults whose depression has not improved with at least two prior antidepressant treatments. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either a low dose (56 mg), a high dose (84 mg), or a placebo spray over four weeks. The main goal is to measure changes in depression severity using a standard rating scale.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- esketamine nasal spray
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a fast-acting, standalone treatment option for people with depression that hasn't responded to other antidepressants.
- What could go wrong
- This is a phase 3 trial, but esketamine may cause side effects like dissociation or dizziness, and not all participants may benefit. Results need to confirm long-term safety and effectiveness.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 348 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2026
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant must meet the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edition) (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for single-episode major depressive disorder (MDD) (if single episode MDD, the duration of the episode must be greater than or equal to \[\>=\] 12 months) or recurrent MDD, without psychotic features, based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) as the primary diagnosis. Participant must have had the first onset of depression prior to 55 years of age * Participant must have had nonresponse (less than or equal to \[\<=\] 25 percent \[%\] improvement) to \>=2 oral antidepressant treatments in the current episode of depression, assessed using the massachusetts general hospital-antidepressant treatment response questionnaire (MGH-ATRQ), and confirmed by documented records (for example, medical/pharmacy/prescription records or a letter from a treating physician) * The participant's current major depressive episode, depression symptom severity, and antidepressant treatment response in the current depressive episode, must be confirmed by the state versus trait, assessability, face validity, ecological validity, rule of three P's (SAFER) Interview * Participant must be comfortable with self-administration of nasal spray medication and be able to follow the nasal spray administration instructions provided * A female participant of childbearing potential must have a negative highly sensitive serum (β-human chorionic gonadotropin \[β-hCG\]) at the start of screening and a negative urine pregnancy test must be obtained before the first dose of study drug on Day 1, prior to randomization Exclusion Criteria: * The participant has used ketamine/esketamine (lifetime) * The participant's depressive symptoms have demonstrated nonresponse in the current major depressive episode to an adequate course of treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), defined as at least 7 treatments with unilateral/bilateral ECT, or to adequate course of treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), defined as at least 4 weeks of treatment with 5 sessions per week * Participant has received vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) or deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the current episode of depression * Participant has homicidal ideation/intent, per the investigator's clinical judgment, or has suicidal ideation with some intent to act within 6 months prior to the start of the screening phase, per the investigator's clinical judgment or based on the columbia suicide severity rating scale (C-SSRS), corresponding to a response of "Yes" on Item 4 (active suicidal ideation with some intent to act, without specific plan) or Item 5 (active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent) for suicidal ideation on the C-SSRS, or a history of suicidal behavior within the past year prior to the start of the screening phase. Participants reporting suicidal ideation with intent to act or suicidal behavior prior to the start of the double-blind treatment phase should be excluded * Participant has a history of moderate or severe substance or alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria, except nicotine or caffeine, within 6 months before the start of the screening phase. a. A history (lifetime) of ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or 3, 4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) hallucinogen-related use disorder is exclusionary * Participant has a current or history of seizures (uncomplicated childhood febrile seizures with no sequelae are not exclusionary)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
15 sites in 3 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Anderson Clinical Research
RECRUITINGRedlands, California, 92374, United States
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Arata Clinic
RECRUITINGNagasaki, 852-8137, Japan
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Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
RECRUITINGTaichung, 402, Taiwan
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Hokkaido University Hospital
RECRUITINGSapporo, 060 8648, Japan
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Kishiro Mental Clinic
RECRUITINGKawasaki, 214-0014, Japan
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Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGTaoyuan, 333, Taiwan
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Maynds Tower Mental Clinic
RECRUITINGShibuya-ku, 151-0053, Japan
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National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
RECRUITINGKodaira-shi, 187-8551, Japan
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Psychiatric Medicine Associates LLC
RECRUITINGSkokie, Illinois, 60076, United States
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Sangenjaya neurology-psychosomatic clinic
RECRUITINGSetagaya Ku, 154 0004, Japan
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Taipei Medical University
RECRUITINGTaipei, 110, Taiwan
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Taipei Veterans General Hospital
RECRUITINGTaipei, 11217, Taiwan
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Tatsuta Clinic
RECRUITINGKobe, 651-0097, Japan
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The Medical Research Network, LLC
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10128, United States
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Tottori University Hospital
RECRUITINGTottori, 683-0824, Japan
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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