Condition

Treatment Resistant Depression clinical trials and research

• 50Clinical trials
• 19NIH research projects
• 16Countries

Newest Treatment Resistant Depression clinical trials

All recruiting trials (50)

• EEG-Guided TMS for Adults With Depression

  This study tests whether delivering intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) timed to brain waves using EEG can improve treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not responded to usual antidepressants.

  Recruiting Mayo Clinic · Rochester, Minnesota · NCT07862205

• Ketamine plus behavioral activation therapy for treatment-resistant depression

  This study tests whether adding behavioral activation therapy to ketamine treatment helps adults with treatment-resistant depression feel better than ketamine alone.

  Recruiting Phase 2/3 The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research · Ottawa, Ontario · NCT07801703

• Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression in adults

  This open-label program tests intravenous ketamine combined with psychotherapy to see if it helps adults with treatment-resistant depression.

  Recruiting Senz · Doorn, Utrecht · NCT07706478

• Mindfulness‑augmented brain stimulation for treatment‑resistant depression

  This trial will test whether combining fast brain stimulation (iTBS) with a digital mindfulness program helps people with treatment‑resistant depression reduce symptoms and improve thinking.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University of California, San Diego · San Diego, California · NCT07512284

• ipRGCs as biomarkers to predict TMS response in major depressive disorder

  This study tests whether retinal cells called ipRGCs can predict who will respond to TMS in treatment-resistant depression.

  Recruiting Polytechnic Institute of Porto · Porto, Porto District · NCT07474974

• Rapid, robot-guided TMS with NRX-101 for treatment-resistant depression

  This trial tests whether a single-day, robot-guided brain stimulation plus NRX-101 can help adults with treatment-resistant depression compare to sham stimulation and placebo.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Phase 2/3 NeuroRx, Inc. · Sarasota, Florida and 2 other locations · NCT07227103

• Role of Psilocybin Monitors in Psilocybin Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

  This study tests whether psilocybin monitors influence the effects of psilocybin therapy in adults with treatment-resistant depression.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 2 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Toronto, Ontario and 1 other locations · NCT07211438

• Psilocybin microdosing plus short-term psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression.

  This trial will test whether six weeks of low-dose psilocybin together with short-term, experience-based psychotherapy can reduce symptoms in adults whose depression has not improved with prior treatments.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Beersheva Mental Health Center · Beersheba · NCT07183748

• Low-intensity focused ultrasound to change deep brain circuits in treatment-resistant depression

  This trial will try low-intensity focused ultrasound to temporarily alter deep brain connections in adults with treatment-resistant depression to see if symptoms like anhedonia and rumination improve.

  Recruiting Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc. · Tulsa, Oklahoma · NCT07166289

• MR-guided focused ultrasound bilateral capsulotomy for refractory bipolar depression

  This will try MR-guided focused ultrasound capsulotomy to see if it helps adults with treatment-resistant bipolar depression.

  Recruiting Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Toronto, Ontario · NCT07108257

• Focused ultrasound neuromodulation for treatment-resistant depression

  This trial will test whether MRI-guided focused ultrasound using the Next Generation Dome Helmet can safely reduce depressive symptoms in adults whose depression has not improved with standard treatments.

  Recruiting Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Toronto, Ontario · NCT07094789

• Adding ketamine to ECT for treatment-resistant depression

  This trial will test whether giving IV ketamine during ECT helps adults with treatment-resistant major depression get better faster and have fewer thinking problems.

  Recruiting Phase 3 Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele · Milan · NCT07088380

• Maintenance treatment using rTMS for depression

  This study is testing if a type of brain treatment called rTMS can help people with hard-to-treat depression stay feeling better after their initial treatment.

  Recruiting at 3 sites University of California, San Diego · San Diego, California and 2 other locations · NCT06938841

• Accelerated brain circuit therapy for treatment resistant depression

  This study is testing a new type of brain stimulation treatment for people with depression that hasn't improved with other therapies to see if it can help them feel better.

  Recruiting Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance · Glostrup Municipality and 2 other locations · NCT06895863

• Ketamine and virtual reality to treat treatment-resistant depression

  This study tests whether IV ketamine combined with immersive virtual reality can help adults with treatment-resistant depression see faster or better improvements.

  Recruiting Phase 3 Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Toronto, Ontario · NCT06781697

• Identifying brain biomarkers for treatment-resistant major depression using deep brain stimulation

  This study is testing if deep brain stimulation can help people with severe depression who haven't found relief from regular treatments by looking for brain signals that could predict their mood changes.

  Recruiting West China Hospital · Chengdu, Sichuan · NCT06542094

• Using psilocybin to treat chronic pain and depression

  This study is testing if psilocybin therapy can help adults with chronic pain and depression feel better when combined with therapy.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Toronto, Ontario · NCT06518720

• Exploring how psilocybin affects brain synapses in patients with treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing if psilocybin can change brain connections in adults with treatment-resistant depression to see if it helps improve their symptoms.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Toronto, Ontario · NCT06512220

• Using gamma oscillations to predict ketamine therapy outcomes in depression

  This study is testing if brain activity measured during ketamine treatment can help predict how well it will work for people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 1 Texas A&M University · Houston, Texas and 1 other locations · NCT06480201

• Understanding the impact of mood disorders and treatment responses

  This study is trying to learn more about how people with depression and bipolar disorder respond to treatment by talking to them weekly for up to 12 weeks to improve future care and predict how well medications might work.

  Recruiting National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · Bethesda, Maryland · NCT06462196

• Bilateral stimulation for treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing if a new brain stimulation treatment can help adults with severe depression who haven't found relief from other medications.

  Recruiting at 25 sites Abbott Medical Devices · Birmingham, Alabama and 25 other locations · NCT06423430

• Individualized physical activity program for treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing a personalized exercise program to see if it can help adults with treatment-resistant depression feel better when combined with their usual treatment.

  Recruiting Unity Health Toronto · Toronto, Ontario · NCT06404320

• Psilocybin treatment for patients with severe depression

  This study is testing if psilocybin therapy can help hospitalized patients with severe depression who haven't found relief from other treatments.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University Hospital, Ghent · Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen · NCT06378229

• Comparing two forms of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing which form of ketamine, Spravato® or racemic ketamine, works better for people with treatment-resistant depression.

  Recruiting at 7 sites Phase 4 The George Institute · Camperdown, New South Wales and 6 other locations · NCT06278779

• Exploring brain activity changes in treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing how a brain stimulation treatment can help people with depression who haven't found relief from other therapies by looking at changes in brain activity and memory.

  Recruiting Unity Health Toronto · Toronto, Ontario · NCT06163625

• Combining psilocybin with accelerated rTMS for treatment-resistant depression

  This will test whether a single psilocybin dosing session followed by a short, intensive accelerated rTMS course helps adults with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas · NCT06132178

• Deep brain stimulation for treatment resistant depression

  This study is testing if deep brain stimulation can help people with treatment-resistant depression feel better by comparing their symptoms when the device is on and off.

  Recruiting Phase 1 Northwell Health · Queens, New York · NCT06096207

• Using Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression

  This study is testing a new treatment called Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation to see if it can help adults with severe depression who haven't found relief from other medications.

  Recruiting Centre Hospitalier St Anne · Paris · NCT06085950

• Intensified treatment for major depressive disorder after first treatment failure

  This study is testing a stronger six-week treatment using esketamine nasal spray and other antidepressants for people with major depressive disorder who didn't get better with their first treatment.

  Recruiting at 8 sites Phase 3 UMC Utrecht · Innsbruck and 11 other locations · NCT05973851

• Impact of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Brain Networks and Sleep

  This study is testing how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) affects sleep and brain activity in people with treatment-resistant depression to see if it helps improve their condition.

  Recruiting Washington University School of Medicine · St Louis, Missouri · NCT05905705

• Comparing two types of brain stimulation for treatment resistant depression

  This study is testing a new type of brain stimulation treatment for people with depression who haven't found relief from other therapies to see if it works better than the standard treatment.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc · Nijmegen, GL and 3 other locations · NCT05900271

• Using schema therapy to treat chronic treatment resistant depression

  This study is testing if schema therapy can help people with chronic depression that hasn't improved with other treatments feel better compared to those getting standard therapy.

  Recruiting at 4 sites Region of Southern Denmark · Ballerup Municipality and 5 other locations · NCT05833087

• Using accelerated brain stimulation to treat difficult depression

  This study is testing if a new type of brain stimulation can help people with hard-to-treat depression feel better by looking for signs that show who will benefit the most from the treatment.

  Recruiting ITAB - Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies · Chieti · NCT05798143

• Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing if deep brain stimulation can help people aged 25-70 with severe depression who haven't found relief from other treatments.

  Recruiting Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, New York · NCT05773755

• 40 Hz light therapy for treating depression

  This study is testing if a special 40 Hz flickering light therapy can help people with Major Depressive Disorder feel better during a depressive episode.

  Recruiting University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg · Copenhagen, Denmark · NCT05680220

• Combining brain stimulation with pleasant odors for treating depression

  This study is testing whether combining brain stimulation with pleasant smells can help people with treatment-resistant depression feel better.

  Recruiting Hôpital le Vinatier · Bron · NCT05661383

• Evaluating BPL-003 for Treatment Resistant Depression

  This study is testing a new nasal treatment called BPL-003 to see if it can help people with depression who haven't found relief from other medications.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 2 Beckley Psytech Limited · Liverpool and 2 other locations · NCT05660642

• Accelerated rTMS for treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing a faster way of using brain stimulation to see if it can help people with depression who haven't found relief from other treatments.

  Recruiting First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University · Hangzhou, Zhejiang · NCT05607654

• Understanding how belief changes in treatment resistant depression

  This study is trying to see how a single dose of antidepressant treatment can change negative beliefs about the future in people with treatment-resistant depression by looking at their brain activity.

  Recruiting Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · Paris · NCT05577247

• Mapping and Modulating Social and Emotional Processing in the Brain

  This study is testing a new way to understand and improve how people with treatment-resistant epilepsy and depression process social and emotional information by using special brain monitoring techniques.

  Recruiting Baylor College of Medicine · Houston, Texas · NCT05418894

• Comparing two types of brain stimulation for reducing suicidal thoughts in patients with treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing two types of brain stimulation to see which one helps reduce suicidal thoughts in people with treatment-resistant depression.

  Recruiting University of California, San Diego · San Diego, California · NCT05377177

• Comparing two psychotherapy programs for persistently depressed inpatients

  This study is testing which of two therapy programs, one designed for long-term depression and the other a simpler approach, works better for people who are hospitalized and struggling with severe depression.

  Recruiting at 7 sites University of Greifswald · Berlin, State of Berlin and 7 other locations · NCT04996433

• Registry for patients with treatment-resistant depression and OCD receiving interventional therapies

  This study is testing different treatments like ECT, TMS, and ketamine to see how they help people with treatment-resistant depression and OCD feel better.

  Recruiting University of Iowa · Iowa City, Iowa · NCT04480918

• Electrical stimulation for severe treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing if a new brain stimulation technique can help people with severe depression that hasn't responded to other treatments feel better.

  Recruiting University of Minnesota · Minneapolis, Minnesota · NCT04124341

• Using brain connectivity to guide rTMS treatment for depression

  This study is testing whether using brain scans to personalize rTMS treatment can help people with severe depression who haven't responded to other treatments feel better.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 3 Weill Medical College of Cornell University · Stanford, California and 1 other locations · NCT04041479

• Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression using advanced imaging techniques

  This study is testing whether deep brain stimulation can help people with treatment-resistant depression by using advanced imaging to better target the areas of the brain involved in their symptoms.

  Recruiting University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, Texas · NCT03952962

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression

  This study is testing if Vagus Nerve Stimulation can help people with treatment-resistant depression feel better when added to their current treatment.

  Recruiting at 50 sites LivaNova · Birmingham, Alabama and 100 other locations · NCT03887715

• Dopamine D2/D3 receptor binding in treatment-resistant, non-resistant depression, and healthy adults

  This project will use PET scans to see if dopamine D2/D3 receptor binding differs between adults with treatment-resistant depression, non-resistant major depression, and healthy volunteers.

  Recruiting Unity Health Toronto · Toronto, Ontario · NCT03537794

• Assessing VNS Therapy for Difficult to Treat Depression

  This study is testing if Vagus Nerve Stimulation therapy can help people with hard-to-treat depression feel better when other treatments haven't worked.

  Recruiting at 11 sites LivaNova · Vienna and 17 other locations · NCT03320304

• Comparing high intensity ketamine with ECT versus ECT with ketamine anesthesia for treatment-resistant depression

  This study is testing if a new high intensity ketamine treatment combined with ECT can help people with treatment-resistant depression feel better faster and with fewer side effects compared to traditional ECT with ketamine anesthesia.

  Recruiting Phase 4 University of Saskatchewan · Saskatoon, Saskatchewan · NCT03272698

NIH-funded research (19)

Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.

• Ultrasound-guided brain circuit targets for treatment-resistant depression

  This grant tests whether focused ultrasound can safely and reversibly adjust brain circuits linked to negative mood in people with treatment-resistant depression.

  NIH research Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · College Station, United States · NIH-11568938

• Personalized deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression

  A new brain-stimulation approach aims to help people with hard-to-treat depression by tailoring where and when stimulation is given based on individual brain signals.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11374734

• Precision brain mapping to understand hard-to-treat depression

  A study using new brain-imaging methods to find reliable biomarkers in people with treatment-resistant depression.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11360699

• Bioenergetic supplements for hard-to-treat depression and anxiety

  A grant test-beds the idea that nutrients like creatine and acetyl-L-carnitine could help people with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and cognitive problems.

  NIH research Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · Salt Lake City, United States · NIH-11352678

• Multi-site psilocybin trial for treatment-resistant depression in Veterans

  A large, multi-site study is testing whether psilocybin can help Veterans with hard-to-treat depression, with or without PTSD.

  NIH research Birmingham VA Medical Center · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11298677

• Cell-free DNA as a biomarker for electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant depression

  A study with people who have treatment-resistant depression will explore whether fragments of DNA circulating in blood can reflect how well electroconvulsive therapy works.

  NIH research University of California Los Angeles · Los Angeles, United States · NIH-11289221

• Deep brain stimulation targeting the medial forebrain bundle for severe treatment‑resistant depression

  This project will use deep brain stimulation of a key brain pathway to help people whose depression hasn't improved with other treatments.

  NIH research Feinstein Institute for Medical Research · Manhasset, United States · NIH-11239120

• Exploring supplements to treat depression and anxiety

  This study is looking at whether taking certain supplements, like creatine and acetyl-L carnitine, can help people with depression and anxiety who haven't found relief from regular medications, especially by improving their thinking and mood.

  NIH research University of Utah · Salt Lake City, United States · NIH-11171639

• Understanding Brain Patterns in Treatment-Resistant Depression

  This project aims to find unique brain patterns in people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments, using a new brain imaging technique.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11164751

• Mapping brain function to understand treatment-resistant depression

  This study is looking at treatment-resistant depression, which is a tough type of depression that doesn't get better with usual treatments, and it's trying to find clues in the brain that could help us understand it better and improve how we diagnose and treat it.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11109849

• Noninvasive treatment for severe depression using ultrasound technology

  This study is exploring a new, non-surgical ultrasound device that gently stimulates certain areas of the brain to help people with treatment-resistant depression feel better, and it’s designed for those who haven’t found relief with other treatments.

  NIH research University of Utah · Salt Lake City, United States · NIH-11094717

• Investigating how specialized lipids can help treat treatment-resistant depression

  This study is looking at whether higher doses of a special omega-3 oil can help people with treatment-resistant depression feel better by reducing inflammation, and it will follow participants for 12 weeks to see how their mood improves.

  NIH research University of Utah · Salt Lake City, United States · NIH-11076270

• Using brain biomarkers to guide treatment for depression

  This study is looking at how certain brain patterns can help find the best type of magnetic treatment for people with depression who haven't found relief from other options, so they can get more personalized care and hopefully feel better.

  NIH research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · New York, United States · NIH-11044119

• Comparing brain stimulation techniques for reducing suicidal thoughts in people with severe depression

  This study is looking at two types of brain stimulation to see which one helps reduce suicidal thoughts in people who have depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. If you join, you'll receive one of the stimulation methods over a short period, and researchers will check how it affects your brain and your

  NIH research University of California, San Diego · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11033877

• Understanding how deep brain stimulation can help treat severe depression

  This study is looking at how deep brain stimulation can help people with treatment-resistant depression, focusing on a key area of the brain that affects emotions and rewards, so if you're struggling to find relief from your depression, you might have the chance to try this treatment and help us learn more about how it

  NIH research Feinstein Institute for Medical Research · Manhasset, United States · NIH-11029124

• Using brain activity to predict how well ketamine helps people with severe depression

  This study is looking at how certain brain waves can help predict if ketamine therapy will work for people with treatment-resistant depression, so we can better tailor the treatment to those who need it most.

  NIH research Baylor College of Medicine · Houston, United States · NIH-11002307

• Using biomarkers to choose the best antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression.

  This study is looking to help people with tough-to-treat depression by finding the best antidepressant for them using special tests, and it will compare two fast-acting treatments, ketamine and rTMS, to see which works better for each person based on their unique brain characteristics.

  NIH research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · New York, United States · NIH-10977993

• Personalized Brain Stimulation for Severe Depression

  This project is developing a new, personalized brain stimulation approach to help people with severe depression that hasn't responded to other treatments.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-10861716

• Using brain training to help people with treatment-resistant depression

  This study is exploring a new way to help people with treatment-resistant depression by using a special brain training technique that encourages positive feelings, and it's designed for those who haven't found relief with standard treatments.

  NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-10830285

Related topics

Quick answers

How many Treatment Resistant Depression clinical trials are recruiting right now?

50, as of November 12, 2026. We update this list each time we refresh our data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Where are these trials running?

In 16 countries. The most sites are in United States (19 trials), Canada (11 trials), France (3 trials), Italy (3 trials), Germany (3 trials). Each study page lists its sites and which ones are recruiting.

What phases are they in?

Phase 2: 8, Phase 3: 4, Phase 2/3: 2, Phase 4: 2. Trials with no phase listed are usually device, behavioural or observational studies.

How do I join one?

Open a study, check the "Is this trial a fit for you?" section, then contact the study team listed on the page. They will ask a few screening questions. Asking is free and does not commit you to anything. Talk it over with your doctor first.

Find the studies that fit you

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