The therapeutic effects of blood plasma transfusions in neurodegenerative conditions: a scoping review protocol (Preprint)

Abstract

The prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions is expected to continue to rise, with current treatments largely focussed on management of symptoms, not disease progression. Exercise is a therapy that has significant favourable effects on a several of the modifiable risk factors that influence the development/progression of some neurodegenerative conditions. However, there are significant barriers to exercise for this population, warranting consideration of alternative or adjunct therapies. Blood plasma transfusion is an emerging non-pharmaceutical/non-exercise therapy that may have therapeutic effects on people and animal models with neurodegenerative conditions.

To investigate and synthesise the literature on the therapeutic effects of young or exercised blood plasma transfusions in people and animal models with neurodegenerative conditions.

We will include studies that have explored the therapeutic effects of young or exercised blood plasma transfusions in adults or animal models with neurodegenerative conditions. PubMed Central, MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, ProQuest, and SPORTDiscus, PROSPERO, and multiple unpublished sources including book chapters, conference papers and theses will be searched to include literature from January 2004 to May 2024, written in English. Studies will be screened by two independent reviewers; a third reviewer will be used to resolve any conflicts. Data will be extracted into a modified charting tool and will be presented in graphical or tabular format combined with the appropriate narration.

The literature search was completed on June 21, 2024. After searching listed databases, 3646 citations and 13 grey literature articles were identified, of which 1432 duplicates were removed.

To the best of our knowledge, this study will be the first study with the aim of investigating the literature on the therapeutic effects of young or exercised blood plasma transfusions in people and animal models with neurodegenerative conditions.