Studies Recruiting Patients

The UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry conducts clinical research focused on depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, and suicidality. The studies listed below are actively recruiting participants under Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Participation is voluntary and may offer access to comprehensive evaluations and innovative treatments while contributing to scientific progress.

ALTO-207-201: Alto Neuroscience Research Study for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Focus: Investigational study evaluating ALTO-207, a novel therapeutic approach for major depressive disorder, including individuals with treatment-resistant symptoms.
Eligibility: Adults diagnosed with MDD who meet study-specific inclusion criteria (details confirmed during screening).
What to Expect: Participation may include a screening phase, study treatment period, and follow-up assessments. The study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of ALTO-207 in improving depressive symptoms.
Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07553637 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07553637 (external link))
Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

ALTO-300-201: Alto Neuroscience Research Study for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Focus: A Phase 2 study evaluating ALTO-300, also known as agomelatine, as an investigational adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The study is designed to assess whether clinical and biologically informed patient characteristics may help predict treatment response.

Eligibility: Adults with MDD who meet study-specific inclusion criteria. Public trial listings describe eligible ages as 18–70 years.

What to Expect: Participation may include screening, treatment with ALTO-300 or placebo added to antidepressant treatment, and follow-up assessments of depressive symptoms and safety.

Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05922878 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05922878 (external link))

Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

KOASTAL-2: Neumora Therapeutics Research Study for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Focus: Investigational agent for MDD
Eligibility: Adults aged 18–65 with MDD
What to Expect: Screening and treatment phase with investigational medication or placebo
Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06058013 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06058013 (external link))
Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

AVENUE Study: Johnson & Johnson Esketamine Trial for Major Depressive Disorder With Acute Suicidal Ideation or Behavior

Focus: The AVENUE Study is a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine (SPRAVATO®) in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) who are experiencing acute suicidal ideation or behavior. The study aims to determine whether esketamine, when added to a comprehensive standard of care, can rapidly reduce depressive symptoms and suicidality.

Eligibility: Adolescents aged 12–17 years with MDD who require psychiatric hospitalization because of acute suicidal ideation or behavior and meet study-specific eligibility criteria.

What to Expect: Participants receive intranasal esketamine or placebo in addition to comprehensive standard-of-care treatment, including hospitalization and psychiatric treatment. The study includes screening, treatment, safety monitoring, and follow-up assessments focused on depressive symptoms and suicidality.

Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07227454 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07227454 (external link))

Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

UTHealth Houston Treatment-Resistant Psychiatric Disorders Cohort

Focus: Observational study examining clinical and biological markers of treatment resistance in depression and bipolar disorder
Eligibility: Adults (18+) with treatment-resistant mood disorders
What to Expect: Symptom assessments, biological sampling, and cognitive evaluations
Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: N/A
Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

VNS RECOVER Study — Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Depression

Focus: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) compared with standard care in chronic or recurrent depression
Eligibility: Adults with persistent depressive symptoms after ≥4 antidepressant trials
What to Expect: VNS implantation, structured follow-ups, and outcome assessments
Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03887715 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03887715 (external link))
Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) in Bipolar Depression & Treatment-Resistant Depression

Focus: Investigational study evaluating Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) for bipolar depression and treatment-resistant depression
Eligibility: Adults with bipolar disorder or treatment-resistant depressive illness who meet study criteria
What to Expect: MST is administered under anesthesia in a controlled research setting with structured monitoring.
Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04080778 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04080778 (external link))
Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

Psilocybin for Bipolar II Depression

Focus: Investigational study evaluating psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for Bipolar II Depression
Eligibility: Adults diagnosed with Bipolar II Depression who meet eligibility criteria
What to Expect: Structured preparation, supervised psilocybin sessions, and integration therapy
Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06706232 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06706232 (external link))
Contact:
713) 486-2567
[email protected]

Rapid Reversal of Suicidal Depression — ECT vs Ketamine

Focus: Comparative effectiveness of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) versus intravenous ketamine for rapid reduction of suicidal depression
Eligibility: Adults experiencing acute suicidal ideation or severe depressive symptoms who meet study criteria
What to Expect: Randomized assignment to ECT or ketamine with intensive safety monitoring and outcome assessments
Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06034821 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06034821 (external link))
Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

Adjunctive Allogeneic Stem Cell Study for Bipolar Depression

Focus: Single-infusion allogeneic stem cell therapy as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar depression
Eligibility: Adults aged 18–65 with bipolar depression
What to Expect: Infusion, imaging, and longitudinal clinical follow-up
Location: Interventional Psychiatry Clinic, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 1620, Houston, TX 77030

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03522545 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03522545 (external link))
Contact:
(713) 486-2567
[email protected]

How to Get Started

Patients or referring clinicians interested in research participation may:

Contact the study coordinator listed above
Provide relevant psychiatric history and current medications
Discuss eligibility criteria and expectations
Complete a screening visit to determine suitability

Participation in research is voluntary and may be coordinated alongside ongoing clinical care when appropriate.