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A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Esketamine for Reduction of Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder
A Double-blind, Randomized, Psychoactive Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Intranasal Esketamine 84 mg in Addition to Comprehensive Standard of Care for the Rapid Reduction of the Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder in Adolescent Participants With Acute Suicidal Ideation or Behavior
Who can join
Ages 12 to 17 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must meet diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edition) (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the mini-international neuropsychiatric interview for children and adolescents (MINI-KID) * Must have a clinical global impression - severity of suicidality - revised (CGI-SS-R) score of "Markedly" or greater (that is, greater than or equal to \[\>=\] 4) at both screening and baseline (predose) visits * Must have a children's depression rating scale - revised (CDRS-R) total score \>= 58 at baseline (predose) * In the physician's opinion, acute psychiatric hospitalization is clinically warranted due to subject's acute suicidality * Must be medically stable based on physical examination, medical history, vital signs, and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) performed at screening Exclusion Criteria: * Participant has a current DSM-5 diagnosis of bipolar (or related disorders), intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder * Participant currently meets DSM-5 criteria for borderline personality disorder * Participant has a current or prior DSM-5 diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, or MDD with psychosis * Participant has a history of seizure disorder * Participant has known allergies, hypersensitivity, intolerance or contraindications to midazolam, esketamine or ketamine, or their excipients
About the study
The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well JNJ-54135419 works (efficacy) in addition to comprehensive standard of care (SoC) in rapidly reducing the symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD, a mental disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities) as compared with psychoactive placebo (does not contain JNJ-54135419) plus SoC in adolescent participants with acute suicidal ideation or behavior.
What is being tested
- Esketamine (drug)
- Midazolam (drug)
- Oral Placebo (other)
- Intranasal Placebo (other)
Sponsor: Janssen Research & Development, LLC · Participants: 258 · Started: Jan 8, 2026
Contact the study team
- Study Contact · Phone: 844-434-4210
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07227454
Locations in the U.S.
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.