Depression drug trial halted early: what we know

NCT ID NCT04249596

Terminated Symptom relief Sponsor: Jonathan A. Javitch, MD, PhD Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested the drug tianeptine in 38 adults with major depression that did not improve after at least two other treatments. Participants took tianeptine three times a day for 8 weeks. The goal was to see if it reduced depression symptoms and changed how the brain processes emotional and physical pain. However, the trial was terminated early, so the results are incomplete.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Tianeptine (a drug that may affect mood and pain signaling)
What this could lead to: If it had succeeded, this could have pointed toward a new option for people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments.
What could go wrong: The trial was terminated early, so we don't have clear results. It was also a small study (38 participants) and only tested one dose for 8 weeks, so any findings would be very preliminary.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York, New York, 10029, United States
New York State Psychiatric Institute

New York, New York, 10032, United States
Stanford Depression Research Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.