<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!-- DFIN New ActiveDisclosure (SM) XBRL Linkbase Document - http://www.dfinsolutions.com/ -->
<!-- Creation Date :2023-07-31T13:05:12.1043+00:00 -->
<!-- Copyright (c) 2023 Donnelly Financial Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersDeficitEquityUnaudited" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersDeficitEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureNATUREOFOPERATIONSANDLIQUIDITYAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureNATUREOFOPERATIONSANDLIQUIDITYAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareOfCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#DisclosureNetLossPerShareOfCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureNETLOSSPERSHAREOFCOMMONSTOCKSecuritiesExcludedFromCalculationOfWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingAsTheirEffectIsAntidilutiveDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureNETLOSSPERSHAREOFCOMMONSTOCKSecuritiesExcludedFromCalculationOfWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingAsTheirEffectIsAntidilutiveDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#DisclosureSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityPrivatePlacementOfCommonStockAndWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#DisclosureStockholdersEquityPrivatePlacementOfCommonStockAndWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityPublicOfferingOfCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#DisclosureStockholdersEquityPublicOfferingOfCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAtMarketEquityOfferingProgramAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAtMarketEquityOfferingProgramAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTermLoanWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTermLoanWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockOptionActivityForEmployeesAndNonEmployeesDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockOptionActivityForEmployeesAndNonEmployeesDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONSummaryOfAssumptionsUsedInBlackScholesModelToEstimateFairValueOfStockOptionsDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONSummaryOfAssumptionsUsedInBlackScholesModelToEstimateFairValueOfStockOptionsDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONScheduleOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseIncludedInCompanySConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONScheduleOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseIncludedInCompanySConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersDeficitEquityUnaudited">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalCostsEarningsRelatedToStockIssuance" xlink:label="nerv_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalCostsEarningsRelatedToStockIssuance"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalCostsEarningsRelatedToStockAndWarrantsIssuance" xlink:label="nerv_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalCostsEarningsRelatedToStockAndWarrantsIssuance"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalStockSplit" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalStockSplit"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalCostsEarningsRelatedToStockIssuance" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalCostsEarningsRelatedToStockAndWarrantsIssuance" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="7" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="8" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="9" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalStockSplit" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="11" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureNATUREOFOPERATIONSANDLIQUIDITYAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:label="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:label="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_RoyaltyPharmaMember" xlink:label="nerv_RoyaltyPharmaMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_NumberOfLicensesAcquired" xlink:label="nerv_NumberOfLicensesAcquired"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_SeltorexantMember" xlink:label="nerv_SeltorexantMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_UpfrontPayment" xlink:label="nerv_UpfrontPayment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_PotentialFutureMilestonePayments" xlink:label="nerv_PotentialFutureMilestonePayments"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndMarketableSecurities" xlink:label="nerv_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndMarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_MinimumMarketValueOfListedSecuritiesRequiredForContinuedListing" xlink:label="nerv_MinimumMarketValueOfListedSecuritiesRequiredForContinuedListing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_RoyaltyPharmaMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MinimumMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_NumberOfLicensesAcquired" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="nerv_SeltorexantMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MaximumMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_UpfrontPayment" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="srt_RangeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_PotentialFutureMilestonePayments" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndMarketableSecurities" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_MinimumMarketValueOfListedSecuritiesRequiredForContinuedListing" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ReclassificationTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashCurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestrictedCashCurrent"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityReverseStockSplit" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityReverseStockSplit"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_UserFeesPaid" xlink:label="nerv_UserFeesPaid"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_UserFeesRefundReceived" xlink:label="nerv_UserFeesRefundReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ReclassificationTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_RestrictedCashCurrent" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityReverseStockSplit" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_UserFeesPaid" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReclassificationLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_UserFeesRefundReceived" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareOfCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" xlink:label="nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_ExercisePriceOfPreFundedWarrants" xlink:label="nerv_ExercisePriceOfPreFundedWarrants"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_PreFundedWarrantsIssuableNominalConsiderationPerShare" xlink:label="nerv_PreFundedWarrantsIssuableNominalConsiderationPerShare"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_ExercisePriceOfPreFundedWarrants" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_PreFundedWarrantsIssuableNominalConsiderationPerShare" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="7" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureNETLOSSPERSHAREOFCOMMONSTOCKSecuritiesExcludedFromCalculationOfWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingAsTheirEffectIsAntidilutiveDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" xlink:label="nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_WarrantMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_WarrantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_WarrantMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems" xlink:label="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTable" xlink:label="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_RoyaltyPharmaMember" xlink:label="nerv_RoyaltyPharmaMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_UpfrontPayment" xlink:label="nerv_UpfrontPayment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_SeltorexantMember" xlink:label="nerv_SeltorexantMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_PotentialMilestonePayments" xlink:label="nerv_PotentialMilestonePayments"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_LiabilityRelatedToTheSaleOfFutureRoyalties" xlink:label="nerv_LiabilityRelatedToTheSaleOfFutureRoyalties"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_AnnualInterestRateOnInterestExpense" xlink:label="nerv_AnnualInterestRateOnInterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTable" xlink:to="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_RoyaltyPharmaMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_UpfrontPayment" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="nerv_SeltorexantMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTable" xlink:to="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_PotentialMilestonePayments" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_LiabilityRelatedToTheSaleOfFutureRoyalties" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="nerv_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_AnnualInterestRateOnInterestExpense" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityPrivatePlacementOfCommonStockAndWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockTransactionDate" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockTransactionDate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestorMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestorMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:label="nerv_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssuedPricePerShare" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharesIssuedPricePerShare"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_PreFundedWarrantsExercisePriceExercisableTimeDescription" xlink:label="nerv_PreFundedWarrantsExercisePriceExercisableTimeDescription"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_ExercisePriceOfPreFundedWarrants" xlink:label="nerv_ExercisePriceOfPreFundedWarrants"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_NoticePeriodToChangeBeneficialOwnershipLimitation" xlink:label="nerv_NoticePeriodToChangeBeneficialOwnershipLimitation"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_MaximumBeneficialOwnershipLimitation" xlink:label="nerv_MaximumBeneficialOwnershipLimitation"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_GrossProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement" xlink:label="nerv_GrossProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_MaximumPercentageOfCommonStockAffiliatesCollectivelyHold" xlink:label="nerv_MaximumPercentageOfCommonStockAffiliatesCollectivelyHold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SaleOfStockTransactionDate" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestorMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="nerv_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharesIssuedPricePerShare" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_PreFundedWarrantsExercisePriceExercisableTimeDescription" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_ExercisePriceOfPreFundedWarrants" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="7" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_NoticePeriodToChangeBeneficialOwnershipLimitation" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="8" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_MaximumBeneficialOwnershipLimitation" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="9" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_GrossProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="11" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="12" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_MaximumPercentageOfCommonStockAffiliatesCollectivelyHold" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityPublicOfferingOfCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_OpenMarketSaleAgreementWithJefferiesLlcMember" xlink:label="nerv_OpenMarketSaleAgreementWithJefferiesLlcMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonStockPreferredStockDebtSecuritiesAndWarrants" xlink:label="nerv_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonStockPreferredStockDebtSecuritiesAndWarrants"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_SaleOfStockMaximumValueOfSharesIssuedInTransaction" xlink:label="nerv_SaleOfStockMaximumValueOfSharesIssuedInTransaction"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="nerv_OpenMarketSaleAgreementWithJefferiesLlcMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonStockPreferredStockDebtSecuritiesAndWarrants" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_SaleOfStockMaximumValueOfSharesIssuedInTransaction" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAtMarketEquityOfferingProgramAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockTransactionDate" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockTransactionDate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_SalesAgreementMember" xlink:label="nerv_SalesAgreementMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SaleOfStockTransactionDate" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="nerv_SalesAgreementMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYTermLoanWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueOptionPricingModelMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueOptionPricingModelMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_TermALoansMember" xlink:label="nerv_TermALoansMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_WarrantsNotSettleableCashMember" xlink:label="nerv_WarrantsNotSettleableCashMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_LoanAndSecurityAgreementMember" xlink:label="nerv_LoanAndSecurityAgreementMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_NumberOfTranches" xlink:label="nerv_NumberOfTranches"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputRiskFreeInterestRateMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputRiskFreeInterestRateMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedDividendPaymentMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedDividendPaymentMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_ExpirationAnniversaryDateOfIssuance" xlink:label="nerv_ExpirationAnniversaryDateOfIssuance"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_WarrantsNotSettleableInCashFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="us-gaap_WarrantsNotSettleableInCashFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementInput" xlink:label="us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementExpectedTerm" xlink:label="nerv_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementExpectedTerm"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementExpectedDividendPayments" xlink:label="nerv_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementExpectedDividendPayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueOptionPricingModelMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="nerv_TermALoansMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="nerv_WarrantsNotSettleableCashMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_LoanAndSecurityAgreementMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_NumberOfTranches" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_MeasurementInputRiskFreeInterestRateMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedDividendPaymentMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_ExpirationAnniversaryDateOfIssuance" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_WarrantsNotSettleableInCashFairValueDisclosure" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementInput" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="7" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementExpectedTerm" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="8" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_AlternativeInvestmentMeasurementExpectedDividendPayments" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_TwentyThirteenEquityIncentivePlanMember" xlink:label="nerv_TwentyThirteenEquityIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_USFoodAndDrugAdministrationMember" xlink:label="nerv_USFoodAndDrugAdministrationMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:label="srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_PresidentMember" xlink:label="srt_PresidentMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:label="srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:label="srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_OptionExchangeProgramMember" xlink:label="nerv_OptionExchangeProgramMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" xlink:label="nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExercisePrice"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_CommonStockExchangedForPRSUS" xlink:label="nerv_CommonStockExchangedForPRSUS"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_ShareBasedGoodsAndServicesNonCashIncrementalStockBasedCompensationCost" xlink:label="nerv_ShareBasedGoodsAndServicesNonCashIncrementalStockBasedCompensationCost"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_IncrementalNonCashCompensationCost" xlink:label="nerv_IncrementalNonCashCompensationCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_TwentyThirteenEquityIncentivePlanMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MinimumMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="nerv_USFoodAndDrugAdministrationMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:to="srt_PresidentMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:to="srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:to="srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_OptionExchangeProgramMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MaximumMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExercisePrice" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="srt_RangeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_CommonStockExchangedForPRSUS" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="7" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_ShareBasedGoodsAndServicesNonCashIncrementalStockBasedCompensationCost" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="8" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="9" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="11" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="12" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="14" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="15" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="16" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="17" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="18" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_IncrementalNonCashCompensationCost" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockOptionActivityForEmployeesAndNonEmployeesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_EmployeesAndNonEmployeesStockOptionMember" xlink:label="nerv_EmployeesAndNonEmployeesStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="nerv_EmployeesAndNonEmployeesStockOptionMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="6" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONSummaryOfAssumptionsUsedInBlackScholesModelToEstimateFairValueOfStockOptionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MaximumMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MinimumMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="srt_RangeAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/Role_DisclosureSTOCKAWARDPLANANDSTOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONScheduleOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseIncludedInCompanySConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://minervaneurosciences.com/20230630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_PreviousLeaseMember" xlink:label="nerv_PreviousLeaseMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty" xlink:label="us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_BpReservoirMember" xlink:label="nerv_BpReservoirMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermDomain_default"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_LeaseDescription" xlink:label="nerv_LeaseDescription"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_RegusMember" xlink:label="nerv_RegusMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_LeaseCommencementDate" xlink:label="nerv_LeaseCommencementDate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1" xlink:label="us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20230630.xsd#nerv_MonthlyRentalRate" xlink:label="nerv_MonthlyRentalRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermDomain" xlink:to="nerv_PreviousLeaseMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:to="nerv_BpReservoirMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermDomain" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="0" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermDomain_default" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_LeaseDescription" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:to="nerv_RegusMember" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermAxis" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_LeaseCommencementDate" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="3" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="4" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="nerv_MonthlyRentalRate" priority="2" use="optional"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" order="5" xbrldt:closed="false" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost" priority="2" use="optional"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
