Los Angeles, CANCT05598034Now EnrollingIRB Ready

Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Trial in Los Angeles, CA

Access cutting-edge major depressive disorder treatment through this clinical trial at a research site in Los Angeles. Study-provided care at no cost to qualified participants.

Sponsored by University of California, Los Angeles

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Expert Care in Los Angeles

Access major depressive disorder specialists at no cost

IRB Approved

This study follows strict safety protocols and ethical guidelines

No-Cost Care

All study-related major depressive disorder treatment provided free

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Check if you qualify for this major depressive disorder clinical trial in Los Angeles, CA

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Your information is protected and will only be shared with the research team.

Why Participate?

  • No-Cost Study Care

  • Local to Los Angeles

    Convenient for CA residents

  • Cutting-Edge Treatment

    Access to innovative therapies

  • Expert Medical Care

    Close monitoring by specialists

  • Possible Compensation*

    For time and travel

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Simple Process

  1. 1Submit this form
  2. 2Phone screening
  3. 3Visit Los Angeles site if eligible
  4. 4Begin participation

About This Major Depressive Disorder Study in Los Angeles

Patients, physicians, and those who fund depression research are keenly interested in depression treatments that do not involve taking medications. One promising candidate treatment is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a low-cost technique that involves placing electrodes on specific scalp locations and using a 9-volt battery to cause a small amount of electricity to pass through parts of the brain. Depending on the direction of electrical flow, tDCS can make brain cells (neurons) more likely or less likely to generate their own electrical signals. When evaluated as a treatment, tDCS is typically done in daily sessions over a period of two weeks. One of the challenges of tDCS is to work out the best possible positioning of electrodes and direction of electricity flow to gradually cause lasting changes in brain activity in ways that might be expected to improve depression. To address this challenge, the investigators are using MRI to take pictures of the brain during tDCS. This data will help us better understand the short-term effects of tDCS in depression and help us learn how to customize future treatments to cause a lasting beneficial response. Patients with depression between the ages of 20-55 years are eligible to take part in this research. Potential participants will undergo: 1. An assessment to confirm eligibility. This will take place over a secure videoconference call lasting no more than 3 hours. 2. Two in-person study visits lasting 30 min and 2-1/2 hours respectively. In the first visit, the investigators will use the MRI to take a picture of the brain and head structure to determine appropriate locations for placing the tDCS electrodes at the start of the second visit. Following electrode placement, an MRI scan will be performed to take pictures of the brain during tDCS. Depending on the study arm, 1. Participants may receive 'active' or 'sham' tDCS. The 'sham' condition is identical to the 'active' tDCS in every way except that it involves minimal tDCS and is designed to help rule out effects unrelated to the administered tDCS electricity. 2. Participants may also be asked to perform a mental task during MRI.

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Who Can Participate

Inclusion Criteria

Age between 20 to 55 years, inclusive
Gender: all
Race/ethnicity: all races and ethnic groups
Capacity to provide informed consent
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of ≥17 and \<24, with or without symptoms of anxiety.
Treatment naïve or on a stable standard antidepressant regimen (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAIs) or tricyclic's (TCAs)) with no change in treatment 6-weeks prior to and during the tDCS intervention.
Work at UCLA or live within 1-hr driving distance of UCLA

Exclusion Criteria

Non-English speaking (due to scales administered)
Substance Use Disorder within last 12 months
Neurological condition associated with brain abnormalities (e.g., traumatic brain injury; recent stroke, tumor)
Any contraindication to tDCS (e.g., skin disease or treatment causing irritation)
Any condition that would contraindicate scanning (metal implants, claustrophobia or a breathing or movement disorder)
Currently receiving any form of psychotherapy
Change in antidepressant medication within 6-weeks of starting the trial
Severe or treatment resistant depression - HAMD scores \> 24 and a history of a major depressive episode lasting \>2- years or failure to 2 or more antidepressant trials in the current index episode
Any neuromodulation therapy (e.g., ECT, rTMS, DBS, VNS or tDCS) within the last 3-months
Current or past (within the last 1-month) use of anticonvulsants, lithium, psychostimulant, dexamphetamine
Current use of decongestants or other medication previously shown to interfere with cortical excitability
Diagnosis: Schizophrenia Axis I disorder, or dementia of any type
Bipolar I disorder (due to possible risk of mania and because lithium and anticonvulsants are excluded).
On regular benzodiazepine medication that it is not clinically appropriate to discontinue for the 2-week duration of the trial
Depression related to serious medical illness (i.e., mood disorder due to general medical condition) 17. Actively suicidal as defined by a score of 4 on item 3 of HAMD

Not sure if you qualify? Submit your interest and a study coordinator will help determine your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is this study available in Los Angeles?

Yes, this clinical trial (NCT05598034) has an active research site in Los Angeles, CA that is currently enrolling participants.

Q:Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. This study has been reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals. You can withdraw at any time.

Q:Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time and travel expenses. Specific compensation details will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is provided at no cost.

Q:Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty.

Still have questions? Our study coordinators are here to help.

Major Depressive Disorder Treatment Options in Los Angeles, CA

If you're searching for major depressive disorder treatment options in Los Angeles, CA, this clinical trial (NCT05598034) may be an excellent opportunity. Clinical trials provide access to cutting-edge treatments that aren't yet available to the general public, often at no cost to participants.

Our Los Angeles research site is actively enrolling participants for this clinical trial. You'll receive care from experienced major depressive disorder specialists who are at the forefront of medical research. All study-related care, including examinations, treatments, and monitoring, is provided at no cost to qualified participants.

Looking for more options? Browse all major depressive disorder clinical trials near you to find additional studies recruiting in your area.

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