18 Recruiting Trials

Clinical Trials
for Depression in Missouri

18 clinical trials for Depression are currently recruiting participants at study sites in Missouri. Study-related care is provided at no cost.

18
Recruiting trials
19
Study sites
7
Cities
7
Industry-sponsored
5
Phase 2
4
Phase 3

Depression clinical trials in Missouri: what to expect

Depression trials cover new medicines, brain stimulation, talk therapy and digital programs. The busiest area is treatment-resistant depression: studies for people whose current antidepressant has not helped enough, testing rapid-acting medicines, add-on treatments and devices such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. Others compare types of therapy, test app-based programs, or study depression alongside another condition such as chronic pain or heart disease.

In Missouri, recruiting depression studies are concentrated in St Louis, Saint Charles, O'Fallon and Columbia, with sites in 3 other cities. 7 of the 18 are run by a drug or device company, which usually means a larger study with travel reimbursement; the rest are academic or hospital-led.

Who depression trials usually look for

Most adult trials require a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, a current episode with symptoms above a threshold on a standard questionnaire, and ages 18 to 65. Treatment-resistant trials ask that one or two antidepressants at a proper dose have not worked in the current episode. Common exclusions are bipolar disorder, psychosis, a substance use disorder in the last year and, for safety, a high current suicide risk. Many trials let you continue stable talk therapy.

Some medicine trials add the study drug to the antidepressant you take; others require a supervised taper first. The listing says which.

What taking part involves

Screening is a structured interview with a clinician plus blood work. Medicine trials usually run six to twelve weeks with weekly or fortnightly visits and mood questionnaires, and many include a placebo arm, with close safety monitoring either way; an open-label extension often follows so everyone can receive the active drug. Therapy and app trials run eight to sixteen weeks and compare against usual care. Treatment, visits and tests are free, and most trials pay for time.

Questions worth asking the study team

Whether you would taper your current medicine and how that is supervised; the chance of placebo and whether there is an open-label extension; what happens if you feel worse during the study; and whether your own doctor is kept informed. Research records are kept separate from your medical record unless you ask otherwise.

Showing 18 of 18 recruiting Depression trials in Missouri

Slow Wave Induction by Propofol to Eliminate Depression (SWIPED) Stage II
PHASE2 St Louis, Missouri NCT06867549
This trial is looking for older adults aged 60 and over who are experiencing depression. Participants will receive propofol infusions and behavioral therapy to see if these treatments improve their sleep and mood.
Recruiting
Depression and Driving
N/A St Louis, Missouri NCT05446805
This trial is looking for older adults who drive and have depression. Participants will share their driving experiences and undergo some medical tests.
Recruiting
Brain Stimulation for Severe Depression
NA St Louis, Missouri +1 sites NCT05393622
This trial is looking for adults with severe depression that has not responded to previous treatments. Participants will receive a special brain stimulation treatment to help improve their mood symptoms.
Recruiting
Multicenter Study of Lumateperone for the Treatment of Bipolar Depression in Pediatric Patients
PHASE3 Dothan, Alabama +4 sites NCT06372964
This trial is looking for young people aged 10 to 17 who have bipolar depression. Participants will receive either the study medication or a placebo while their mood is monitored.
Recruiting
Lumateperone for Late-Life Depression
PHASE3 St Louis, Missouri +1 sites NCT07623135
This trial is looking for older adults with depression that hasn't improved after trying other treatments. Participants will take either the medication lumateperone or a placebo pill to see how it helps their depression.
Recruiting
A Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of VLS-01 Buccal Film, Compared to Placebo in Patients With Treatment Resistant Depression (ELUMINA)
PHASE2 Tucson, Arizona +4 sites NCT06524830
This trial is looking for adults with treatment resistant depression. Participants will receive either a new treatment called VLS-01 Buccal Film or a placebo to see how effective it is.
Recruiting
A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Blinded Trial Demonstrating the Safety and Effectiveness of VNS Therapy® System as Adjunctive Therapy Versus a No Stimulation Control in Subjects With Treatment-Resistant Depression
NA Birmingham, Alabama +4 sites NCT03887715
This trial is looking for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Participants will receive either active VNS therapy or a control without stimulation to see how it affects their depression over 12 months.
Recruiting
Treatment ResistAnt Depression Subcallosal CingulatE Network DBS (TRANSCEND)
NA Birmingham, Alabama +4 sites NCT06423430
This trial is looking for adults with treatment resistant depression who have not improved with other treatments. Participants will receive a new type of brain stimulation as part of their care.
Recruiting
Efficacy of a Multi-level School Intervention for LGBTQ Youth
NA El Monte, California +4 sites NCT05541406
This trial is looking for LGBTQ students attending one of 24 high schools. Participants will take part in a program aimed at addressing issues like bullying and mental health challenges.
Recruiting
Disruptions of Brain Networks and Sleep by Electroconvulsive Therapy
N/A St Louis, Missouri NCT05905705
This trial is looking for people who have treatment-resistant depression and will be receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Participants will help researchers understand how ECT affects sleep and brain function.
Recruiting
Digital InteGrated Behavioral treatmeNt for Comorbid obesITy and deprEssion Among Racial and Ethnic Adults Age 50 and Older
NA St Louis, Missouri +1 sites NCT06636058
This trial is looking for adults aged 50 to 74 who have both depression and obesity. Participants will use digital programs to help manage their weight and depression over a 12-month period.
Recruiting
A Randomized Study of Azetukalner Versus Placebo in Depressive Episodes Associated With Bipolar I or II Disorder (Bipolar Depression)
PHASE3 Tucson, Arizona +4 sites NCT07172516
This trial is looking for adults aged 18 to 74 who are currently experiencing a depressive episode connected to bipolar disorder. Participants will receive either azetukalner or a placebo to see how well it works and its safety.
Recruiting
A Study to Assess Adverse Events and Change in Disease Activity of Oral Icalcaprant in Adult Participants With Bipolar I or II Disorder
PHASE2 Huntsville, Alabama +4 sites NCT06696755
This trial is looking for adults with bipolar I or II disorder to test the drug Icalcaprant. Participants will take capsules daily for 6 weeks and have follow-up visits to monitor their health and side effects.
Recruiting
Adolescent Chatbot
PHASE2 St Louis, Missouri NCT07094503
This trial is looking for teenagers aged 13 to 19 who are at risk for eating disorders. Participants will use a chatbot program designed to help prevent eating disorders.
Recruiting
E-Mindfulness Approaches for Living After Breast Cancer
PHASE3 Phoenix, Arizona +4 sites NCT06748222
This trial is looking for younger women who have survived breast cancer and are experiencing depression. Participants will try two different mindfulness programs, one led by an instructor via Zoom and the other through a mobile app.
Recruiting
Type I Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of Primary Care Brief Mindfulness Training for Veterans
NA St Louis, Missouri +3 sites NCT06162741
This trial is looking for Veterans who experience anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms. Participants will take part in either a mindfulness class or a problem-solving skills class to see if these help reduce their symptoms.
Recruiting
Leveraging mHealth to Promote Opioid Use Recovery and Mental Health Among Residents of a Medium-Sized Midwestern City
PHASE2 St Louis, Missouri NCT07673380
This trial is looking for Black adults who have used opioids or stimulants and are seeking treatment for substance use. Participants will help test a mobile health program designed to support their recovery journey.
Recruiting
Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) in a Digital Mental Health Intervention for Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Chronic Pain
NA St Louis, Missouri NCT06978166
This trial is looking for adults aged 45 and older who have chronic pain and experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. Participants will use a mobile app designed to help manage their conditions and complete some surveys about their mood and physical health.
Recruiting

Where the Depression studies are in Missouri

  • Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis5 trials
  • Midwest Research Group, Saint Charles2 trials
  • Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St Louis2 trials
  • Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis2 trials
  • Heartland Regional Medical Center, Saint Joseph1 trial
  • Lake Regional Hospital, Osage Beach1 trial

Counts are recruiting studies listing at least one site in Missouri, from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed every two days.

Depression clinical trials in Missouri: common questions

How many Depression clinical trials are recruiting in Missouri?
TrialFinder currently lists 18 recruiting Depression clinical trials with study sites in Missouri. Results are updated regularly from ClinicalTrials.gov, the official U.S. registry of clinical studies.
Where are Depression clinical trials located in Missouri?
Study sites for the Depression trials listed on this page include St Louis. Each trial page lists every participating site with contact details, so you can find the location closest to you.
Do I need insurance to join a Depression clinical trial in Missouri?
No. Study-related care is covered by the trial sponsor at no cost to participants, including the study treatment, required lab tests and study visits. Many Depression trials in Missouri also compensate participants for time and travel. Health insurance is not required to search or enroll.
How do I qualify for a Depression clinical trial in Missouri?
Each study sets its own criteria based on age, Depression diagnosis details, prior treatments, current medications and general health. The fastest way to find out is to contact a research site directly — most will pre-screen you by phone in 10 to 15 minutes at no charge. You can also create a free TrialFinder profile to be matched automatically.
Do I have to stop my antidepressant to join a depression trial?
Not always. Many trials add the study treatment to the antidepressant you already take; others ask for a supervised taper before starting. Each listing states which, and the study doctor manages any change.
Is there a placebo in depression trials?
Most medicine trials include a placebo arm, often with two active participants for every one on placebo, and usually followed by an extension where everyone receives the drug. Therapy, device and app trials generally compare against usual care instead.
Can I join if I am already seeing a therapist?
Usually yes for medicine trials, provided the therapy has been ongoing and stable. Trials of a specific therapy may ask you not to start a second one during the study.
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Depression trials investigate antidepressant medications, TMS, ketamine infusions, psychotherapy protocols, and digital mental-health interventions.

All Depression trials →