Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

108

Review clinical trials related to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Use filters to narrow results by trial status, phase, treatment, biological sex and sponsor.

Condition / disease
Location
Status: Not yet recruiting

Role of Kynurenine Pathway and Its Metabolites in Depressive Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder is Suspected to Have the Greatest Burden by 2030,Kynurenine Pathway is Major Route Through Which the Essential Amino Acid Tryptophan is Metabolised and Activated in Time of Stress and Immune Activation.

This is a case control study including simple random cases of 90 persons, 45 of them have depressive disorders and the other 45 are healthy individuals,age group between 18-60 years old, cases will be recruited from outpatient psychiatric clinic in sohag university hospital, all cases will be exposed to psychological assessment and also laboratory assessment of kynurenine metabolites by using biokits

Participants needed: 90
Trial details
Age: 18-18Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Sohag UniversityUpdated: Aug 20, 2026
Eligibility criteria

age group 18: 60 years old [+1]

patients with comorbid other psychiatric disorders( SUD,anxiety) [+5]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Imaging- vs. Scalp-Targeted Accelerated TMS for Depression: The Number Needed to Scan Trial

Transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that is cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for depression. Conventional TMS involves daily weekday treatments for 6-8 weeks. These treatments are targeted using each person's scalp measurements. With conventional TMS, approximately 50-55% of people show a 50% or more improvement in depressive symptoms (in other words, they "respond" to treatment). Studies are trying to make TMS work better and faster. A new form of TMS called accelerated TMS (aTMS) involves mutliple treatments a day. One specific aTMS protocol involves 10 treatments per day for 5 days. These treatments are targeted using each person's brain scan (magentic resonance imaging, MRI). With this specific aTMS protocol, approximately 70-90% of people show a 50% or more imporvement in depressive symptoms. While these results are exciting, scientists are not sure why this specific aTMS protocol works better than conventional TMS. It could be the dose and schedule of treatment, or it could be the MRI-based targeting. Answering this question is important because MRI-based targeting is expensive and difficult to do in many settings. This study aims to determine if MRI-based targeting is better than scalp-based targeting for aTMS for depression. In this study, everyone who enrolls and meets criteria will be randomly assigned to MRI- versus scalp-based aTMS targeting.

Participants needed: 160
Trial details
Age: 22-80Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Brigham and Women's HospitalUpdated: Aug 19, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Age 22-80 [+11]

Status: Recruiting

A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of SPT-300 (GlyphAllo) in Participants With Major Depressive Disorder, With or Without Anxious Distress (BUOY-1 Study)

This is a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, monotherapy study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of SPT-300 (GlyphAllo) in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD), with or without anxious distress.

Participants needed: 360
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Seaport TherapeuticsUpdated: Aug 17, 2026Locations: 62
Eligibility criteria

Participant is a male or female between 18 and 65 years of age, inclusive willin... [+5]

any depressive episode with psychotic or catatonic features. [+12]

Status: Recruiting

A Study of a Deuterated Psilocin Analog (CYB003) in Humans With Major Depressive Disorder

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of CYB003 compared to matching placebo as adjunctive treatment in patients with MDD. For more information about the EMBRACE study, including participating study locations, and to register your interest in learning more about participation, please visit the study website: https://embrace-mdd-trial.com/

Participants needed: 330
Trial details
Phase: Phase 3Age: 18-85Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Cybin IRL LimitedUpdated: Aug 17, 2026Locations: 68
Eligibility criteria

Age18 to 85 years. [+9]

Current or previously diagnosed schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disord... [+18]

Status: Recruiting

Home-Based tDCS Treatment Of Major Depressive Disorder

The REACH-tDCS study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a noninvasive, at-home self-administered Sooma tDCS brain stimulation treatment for Major Depressive Disorder. The study uses randomized, blinded, placebo controlled design. The participants are assessed with video interviews and self-reports during the study, which lasts for 10 weeks followed by an optional continuation period.

Participants needed: 200
Trial details
Age: 22-70Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Sooma Medical IncUpdated: Aug 14, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

22 - 70 years of age [+12]

Current state of mania or psychosis, or have a history of mania or psychosis. [+25]

Status: Recruiting

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of DT-101 as an Adjunctive Treatment in Patients With Depression

In this study, researchers will learn more about a study drug called DT-101 in participants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a form of depression. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if DT-101 can treat depression in adults. The effect of DT-101 will be compared to placebo. A placebo looks the drug but contains no medicine. Subjects will attend the clinic for complete general health checks and to complete questionnaires.

Participants needed: 118
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 18-75Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Draig Therapeutics LtdUpdated: Aug 12, 2026Locations: 22
Eligibility criteria

The participant is able to read, understand and communicate in the local languag... [+2]

Pregnant or breastfeeding or plans to become pregnant during the study. [+5]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Ketogenic Diet and Neuromodulation in Treatment Resistant Depression

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if combining a ketogenic diet with a personalized, accelerated brain stimulation treatment (iTBS) works better than iTBS with a standard healthy diet to reduce depression symptoms in adults with treatment-resistant depression. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does iTBS combined with a ketogenic diet improve depression symptoms more than iTBS combined with a standard healthy diet? * Does the ketogenic diet change ketone levels over time? * Is it safe, tolerable, and feasible to follow a ketogenic diet during accelerated iTBS treatment? We will compare a ketogenic diet to a Canadian Food Guide-aligned diet, both combined with iTBS, measuring depression severity using standard clinician-rated and self-report scales. Participants will: * Follow either a ketogenic diet or a standard healthy diet for 12 weeks, starting with a 3-week lead-in period before iTBS begins * Undergo a course of personalized, imaging-guided accelerated iTBS while continuing their assigned diet * Complete clinical and cognitive assessments, blood tests, and brain MRI scans before and after treatment * Have their ketone levels checked regularly throughout the 12-week period

Participants needed: 60
Trial details
Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreUpdated: Aug 7, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Age 18-65 of any sex, gender identity, ethnicity and socioeconomic status [+7]

Concomitant major unstable medical illness as determined by a study physician [+20]

Status: Recruiting

ACP-211 Monotherapy for Major Depressive Disorder With Inadequate Antidepressant Response

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if ACP-211 can help treat adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not improved with antidepressant therapy (ADT), including those with treatment resistant depression (TRD). The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Does ACP-211 work better than a placebo (a look-alike capsule with no medicine) to reduce symptoms of depression? * What adverse events do participants have when taking ACP-211?

Participants needed: 153
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.Updated: Aug 6, 2026Locations: 26
Eligibility criteria

Adults ≥18 and ≤65 years of age [+6]

Current diagnosis of certain personality disorders or persistent depressive diso... [+12]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Context-Guided Personalized iTBS for Depression

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn whether context-guided personalized intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) works better than standard iTBS for adults with major depressive disorder. iTBS is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. Participants will be assigned by chance to one of two treatment groups. The standard treatment group will receive iTBS at a commonly used target in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex after watching a neutral video. The personalized treatment group will receive iTBS at an individual brain target selected using magnetic resonance imaging data. Before each treatment session, participants in this group will watch a positive emotional video intended to activate brain functions related to the selected target. Both groups will receive five iTBS sessions per day for five consecutive treatment days. Participants will continue their stable antidepressant treatment during the study. The main question is whether context-guided personalized iTBS results in a higher treatment response rate than standard iTBS two weeks after treatment. Treatment response is defined as a reduction of at least 50% from baseline in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score. Researchers will also compare early changes in depression, anxiety and other clinical symptoms, changes in brain imaging measures, and any side effects. Clinical and brain imaging assessments will be conducted before and after the treatment course, and clinical symptoms will be assessed again two weeks after treatment.

Participants needed: 60
Trial details
Age: 18-55Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Capital Medical UniversityUpdated: Aug 5, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Male or female outpatients or inpatients aged 18 to 55 years, inclusive. [+7]

Serious or unstable medical or neurological illness. [+6]

Status: Recruiting

Prediction of REsponse to Depression Interventions (Accelerated rTMS) Using Clinical and TD-fNIRS Measurements

This observational, longitudinal, multi-cohort study aims to evaluate functional brain activity in adults undergoing treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at participating clinical sites. A separate cohort of healthy adults will be enrolled as a control group. All data collected in this study are for research purposes only and will not influence clinical decision-making or treatment plans. This study will use TD-fNIRS to measure hemodynamic brain responses at rest and/or during tasks in patients receiving accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Imaging will occur at multiple timepoints (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-ups). Healthy control participants will complete similar measurements at one visit, with the option for a follow-up visit. The primary objectives are to assess feasibility, characterize brain activity patterns, and explore potential biomarkers associated with treatment response.

Participants needed: 100
Trial details
Age: 18-75Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: KernelUpdated: Aug 5, 2026Locations: 2
Eligibility criteria

Adults aged 18-75 at the time of enrollment [+10]

Pregnant or may become pregnant during the treatment course [+7]

Status: Recruiting

Pilot Study: Establishing Glutamatergic Changes in Rapid Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine

In the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), ketamine can produce rapid but short-lasting improvements in mood. In order to develop a new generation of treatments with rapid and sustained efficacy, a better understanding of the mechanism of action is urgently needed. One candidate mechanism is the modulation of synaptic strength mediated by glutamatergic activity as ketamine has been suggested to increase synaptic strength. Although determining how ketamine impacts the glutamatergic system is essential to isolating its mechanism of action, the invasive nature of most assessment methods has limited our ability to do so in humans. The proposed research aims to determine if changes in glutamatergic activity, reflecting the modulation of synaptic strength, underlie the antidepressant effects of ketamine. In this project, the investigators will utilize a novel measure of glutamate imaging, GluCEST, to assess changes in glutamatergic activity to assess synaptic strength following ketamine administration. Ten individuals (aged 25-65) with a DSM-V diagnosis of MDD will undergo baseline GluCEST imaging prior to and following ketamine infusion. Both clinician-administered and subjective mood measures will be collected. It is predicted that ketamine will improve mood and increase glutamatergic activity and synaptic strength. Results from this project have the potential to identify the modifiable mechanisms by which rapid antidepressants work which could ultimately stimulate the development of novel interventions that work through the modulation of glutamatergic activity.

Participants needed: 10
Trial details
Phase: Early Phase 1Age: 25-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: University of PennsylvaniaUpdated: Aug 4, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Age between 25 and 65 years; [+4]

A sleep disorder other than insomnia, as determined by history; [+13]

Status: Recruiting

EEG Microstate Parameters and Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder Receiving ECT

This study aims to investigate the neurophysiological and inflammatory changes associated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder who are resistant to at least two antidepressant treatments, using microstate analysis derived from resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Within this scope, EEG recordings obtained before and after ECT will be compared to determine the relationships between changes in microstate parameters and inflammatory marker levels, clinical variables, and psychometric scale scores reflecting clinical improvement. Peripheral blood samples collected from the same patient group will be analyzed for complete blood count parameters as well as levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), soluble glycoprotein 130 (sgp-130), soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R), interferon gamma-induced protein 10 kDa (IP-10), and C-reactive protein (CRP). In addition, inflammatory indices, including the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR), will be calculated. The association between baseline levels of these biomarkers and treatment response will be evaluated. Moreover, changes in biomarker levels following ECT will be statistically examined in relation to clinical scale scores and EEG microstate parameters. Although microstate analysis and inflammatory biomarkers have each been extensively investigated in psychiatric disorders, studies evaluating these two biomarkers together, particularly with the inclusion of healthy control participants, remain limited. In this regard, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of ECT on patients with treatment-resistant depression using objective neurophysiological indicators, to contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of depression at the level of brain networks, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of personalized treatment approaches in the future.

Participants needed: 62
Trial details
Age: 18-60Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Istanbul University - CerrahpasaUpdated: Aug 5, 2026Locations: 1Duration: 2 Months
Eligibility criteria

Age 18-60 years [+11]

Primary neurological disorders (e.g., dementia or traumatic brain injury). [+14]

Status: Not yet recruiting

iMORE+ Study: A Multi-Omics Cohort Study of Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental health condition characterized by substantial clinical heterogeneity and variability in treatment response. Current diagnosis and treatment selection for MDD mainly rely on clinical assessments, and reliable biological markers that can support diagnosis, predict antidepressant treatment response, guide personalized treatment, and improve understanding of disease mechanisms remain limited. The goal of this prospective observational cohort study is to develop and optimize multi-omics-based models for MDD diagnosis and antidepressant treatment response prediction using longitudinal clinical characteristics and biological data collected from an independent prospective cohort. The study also aims to evaluate the generalizability and predictive performance of existing multi-omics-based models in this independent cohort of participants aged 14-45 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can integrated clinical and multi-omics features identify biomarkers and develop predictive models for MDD diagnosis and antidepressant treatment response? Can existing multi-omics-based models for MDD diagnosis and treatment response prediction be replicated and validated in an independent prospective cohort? Participants with MDD and healthy controls will undergo standardized clinical assessments, longitudinal follow-up, and biological sample collection for multi-omics profiling. Clinical and multi-omics data will be integrated to identify biomarkers, develop and validate predictive models for MDD diagnosis, antidepressant treatment response, and long-term outcomes, and explore biological pathways and potential therapeutic targets associated with MDD. The study is expected to improve understanding of the biological heterogeneity of MDD and contribute to the development of objective approaches for diagnosis, treatment response prediction, personalized care, and future therapeutic discovery.

Participants needed: 150
Trial details
Age: 14-45Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Shanghai Mental Health CenterUpdated: Aug 3, 2026Locations: 1Duration: 1 Year
Eligibility criteria

Participants aged 14-45 years. [+3]

Current or lifetime diagnosis of other major psychiatric disorders, including sc... [+9]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Understanding the Role of the Kappa Opioid Receptor in Ketamine's Attenuation of Suicidal Thoughts

This study explores how stress, suicidal thoughts, and ketamine's effects are connected in people with major depressive disorder. Stress increases the risk for suicidal thoughts, but the biological basis is unclear. Ketamine may help reduce suicidal thoughts by affecting stress-linked brain systems. This study will use smartphone tracking to monitor real-time responses to stress and positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans to study how ketamine affects brain pathways related to stress and suicidal thoughts in depressed individuals.

Participants needed: 12
Trial details
Phase: Phase 4Age: 18-59Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: New York State Psychiatric InstituteUpdated: Aug 3, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

DSM5 unipolar major depressive episode [+1]

Current or past ketamine abuse or dependence ever (lifetime) [+20]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Probiotic IBNI617 for Moderate to Severe Depression

IBNI617 is a live biotherapeutic product(LBP). This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IBNI617 in adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either IBNI617 or matched placebo twice daily for 8 weeks. The primary objective is to assess the efficacy of IBNI617 compared with placebo, as measured by the change from baseline in HAM-D-17 total score at Week 8.

Participants needed: 148
Trial details
Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: IBIOME BIOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTDUpdated: Jul 30, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Meets DSM-5 criteria for a single episode or recurrent episode; [+3]

Treatment-resistant depression; [+4]

Status: Not yet recruiting

A Study of KH607 as Monotherpy in Adults Participants With Major Depressive Disorder

This trial includes a short-term study and a long-term study. The short-term study is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group study with a 6-week duration. The long-term study is a multicenter, open-label, single-arm study with a maximum duration of 27 weeks.

Participants needed: 232
Trial details
Phase: Phase 3Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Chengdu Kanghong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 to 65 years old (inclusive), Male or female. [+8]

Other psychiatric disorders meeting DSM-5 criteria, including but not limited to... [+20]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Compare the Efficacy and Safety of KH607 Tablets Versus Vortioxetine Hydrobromide Tablets in Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

This trial includes a short-term study and a long-term study. The short-term study is a multicenter, randomized, double-Blind, double-Dummy, Parallel-Controlled study with a 6-week duration. The long-term study is a withdrawal follow-up study; participants meeting relapse criteria may receive one cycle of KH607 Tablets treatment.

Participants needed: 326
Trial details
Phase: Phase 3Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Chengdu Kanghong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 to 65 years old (inclusive), Male or female. [+8]

Other psychiatric disorders meeting DSM-5 criteria, including but not limited to... [+22]

Status: Recruiting

Ketamine With Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) for Suicidality in Individuals With Treatment-Resistant Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder (KET-DBT)

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if intravenous (IV) ketamine with Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) reduces suicidal ideation in individuals with suicidality who have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and either Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder. The main question it aims to answer is: Does IV ketamine and DBT produce more rapid and robust improvements in suicidal ideation (SI) severity between baseline and Day 35 compared to IV midazolam and DBT, as measured by changes in the Modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation (MSSI) scores ? Researchers will compare six IV ketamine infusions and DBT to an active placebo (a look-alike substance that mimics some of ketamine's effects and not others) and DBT to see if IV ketamine with DBT is more effective at reducing SI severity. Participants will: * Complete six infusions of either IV ketamine or IV midazolam * Take part in 6 months of DBT (includes both weekly one-on-one sessions, and group sessions, starting week 5 of the trial) * Visit the hospital for scheduled in-person visits * Join a call or videocall for scheduled remote visits * Complete a variety of different mood, cognitive and behavioral assessments

Participants needed: 120
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 18-70Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Joshua RosenblatUpdated: Jul 29, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Adults between the age of 18 to 70, inclusive; [+5]

Past or current history of a psychotic disorder as determined by clinical assess... [+9]

Status: Recruiting

Evaluating Conversational Artificial Intelligence for Depression Management

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate how a conversational method of collecting medical history affects patients' perceptions and experiences compared to clinical care as usual. This conversational AI intake system collects medical history information, can be completed by participants at home, and do not disrupt routine clinical care. The primary questions this study aims to answer are: 1\) Does conversational intake affect patients' perceptions of empathy during their clinical interactions? This will be a prospective study that follows a cohort of participants for four (4) months after engaging with the AI intake system. Because each participant serves as his/her own control, both comparators will be administered within-subject, and the order of exposure (AI intake vs. usual care) will be randomized to minimize sequence effects. After completing the AI intake method, participants will rate their experience, particularly in terms of empathy and compare it to their usual interactions with their own clinicians.

Participants needed: 130
Trial details
Age: 18-85Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: George Mason UniversityUpdated: Jul 28, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Participant is between 18 to 85 years old. [+8]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Pregnenolone Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder

This study will evaluate whether pregnenolone is an effective treatment for adults with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either pregnenolone or placebo for 12 weeks in a double-blind study. Researchers will assess alcohol consumption, alcohol craving, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms throughout treatment. The study will also use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine how pregnenolone affects brain circuits involved in addiction and mood regulation. The goal is to determine whether pregnenolone can improve both alcohol-related and mood-related outcomes and to identify the neural mechanisms associated with treatment response.

Participants needed: 100
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 21-55Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Sherwood Brown, MD, PhDUpdated: Jul 29, 2026Locations: 2
Eligibility criteria

Age 21 to 55 years. [+4]

Current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or other... [+7]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Effectiveness of Clustered Versus Tapered Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as Maintenance Therapy Following Successful Acute rTMS Treatment in Patients With Depressive Syndrome

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two maintenance transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) strategies following successful acute theta burst stimulation (TBS) treatment in adults with depressive syndrome. It will also evaluate whether the two maintenance strategies differ in their ability to maintain the antidepressant treatment response over 24 weeks. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does clustered maintenance rTMS reduce the risk of depressive relapse or clinically relevant symptom worsening compared with tapered maintenance rTMS? Do the two maintenance strategies differ in depressive symptoms, global clinical status, psychosocial functioning, and MRI-based biomarkers over time? Researchers will compare a clustered maintenance rTMS protocol with a tapered maintenance rTMS protocol. Participants will: * Complete successful acute TBS treatment before study enrollment * Be randomly assigned to either clustered or tapered maintenance rTMS * Receive 20 maintenance stimulation sessions over 20 weeks * Attend clinical follow-up assessments every 4 weeks for a total follow-up -period of 24 weeks * Undergo optional multimodal MRI examinations at the Munich study site

Participants needed: 100
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Technical University of MunichUpdated: Jul 27, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Age ≥18 years [+6]

Non-response to acute TBS treatment [+3]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Temporal Interference Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

This multi-center, double-blind study, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Temporal Interference transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (TI-tACS) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). All participants will be enrolled as two independent cohorts and randomized separately within each diagnostic group. Participants with major depressive disorder will be randomized to receive high-frequency TI-tACS(130 Hz), low-frequency TI-tACS(2Hz), or sham stimulation targeting the right amygdala. Participants with generalized anxiety disorder will be randomized to receive high-frequency TI-tACS(80Hz), low-frequency TI-tACS(5Hz), or sham stimulation targeting the right amygdala. The intervention consists of 20 stimulation sessions administered over 2 weeks (twice a day for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 2-day break, and another 5 consecutive days). Clinical assessments will be conducted at baseline, during treatment, and at multiple follow-up time points up to 6 months. The primary outcome for the MDD cohort is the change from baseline in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) at week 2. The primary outcome for the GAD cohort is the change from baseline in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) at week 2. Secondary outcomes include changes in clinical symptoms, cognitive function, and safety profiles in both the MDD and GAD cohorts.

Participants needed: 192
Trial details
Age: 18-55Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Central South UniversityUpdated: Jul 17, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Age between 18 and 55 years (inclusive), any gender; [+5]

History of psychiatric disorders other than MDD or GAD; [+10]

Status: Recruiting

Investigating Functional Changes in the Frontotemporal Cortex of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Following Electroconvulsive Therapy or Magnetic Seizure Therapy Using Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

Against the clinical backdrop of the growing global burden of neuropsychiatric disorders, the rapid rise in depression prevalence, and the frequent association of these conditions with cognitive impairment, this study highlights the limitations of current cognitive assessment tools-such as their time-consuming nature and lack of specificity-and underscores the urgent need to develop simple and efficient assessment methods. In terms of treatment, modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and magnetic seizure therapy (MST) are rapidly acting neuromodulation therapies; however, their effects on cognitive function and underlying brain mechanisms remain controversial, and there is a lack of direct comparative studies. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology can non-invasively monitor changes in cerebral hemodynamics, providing a powerful tool for assessing brain function before and after treatment. Therefore, this study aims to combine resting-state and task-based fNIRS with multidimensional cognitive and emotional assessments to systematically compare the effects of ECT and MST on frontal-temporal cerebral hemodynamics. We seek to clarify the differences in brain function regulation between the two treatment modalities and their association with improvements in cognition and mood, with the goal of providing scientific evidence to elucidate the brain mechanisms underlying neurostimulation therapies and optimize individualized treatment plans.

Participants needed: 60
Trial details
Age: 12-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityUpdated: Jul 17, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

A depressive episode diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manua... [+3]

Co-occurring mental disorders (such as substance use disorders or schizoaffectiv... [+4]

Status: Recruiting

Pattern Separation in Major Depressive Disorder

This study seeks to examine the effects of treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), escitalopram, a first-line treatment for depression, in combination with placebo or with extended-release memantine, on neuropsychological function, regional brain activity assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging, and depressive symptoms, in participants with Major Depressive Disorder. Escitalopram is administered in an open-label fashion in this study; extended release memantine is administered in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled manner.

Participants needed: 30
Trial details
Phase: Phase 1Age: 18-50Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Jeffrey MillerUpdated: Jul 14, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Age 18-50 [+6]

Currently taking an antidepressant medication at study enrollment [+17]

Status: Recruiting

Inhaled DMT for Major Depressive Disorder

This Phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The study will test whether inhaled DMT can rapidly reduce depressive symptoms and suicide risk compared with a low-dose active comparator. A total of 140 participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either 15 mg followed 1 hour later by 60 mg of inhaled DMT, or 1 mg followed 1 hour later by 4 mg of inhaled DMT. Participants who do not achieve remission at Day 7 will enter an open-label extension and receive a high-dose DMT session on Day 14 (±3 days). All participants will be followed for up to 12 months to evaluate the durability of response, safety, functioning, and quality of life.

Participants needed: 140
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do NorteUpdated: Jul 13, 2026Locations: 5
Eligibility criteria

18 years or older, capable of making decisions, and able to provide informed con... [+6]

Major cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease; unstable cardiovascular conditions [+15]