Young plasma exchange

No controlled trial has shown that plasma from young donors slows aging or improves health in people. The FDA warned consumers in 2019, and again in 2024, that it knows of no evidence of benefit for aging, memory loss or dementia [1] [2].

The human trials so far are small and were built to test safety. In the PLASMA study, 18 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease received four weekly infusions of plasma from donors aged 18 to 30. The infusions were safe and feasible, and the study was too small and short to judge benefit [3]. A plasma fraction from Alkahest, GRF6019, was well tolerated in 26 people with severe Alzheimer's disease, in a trial not powered to detect benefit [4].

The idea comes from mice. Old mice joined to young ones by a shared circulation, called heterochronic parabiosis, regained muscle and liver stem cell activity [5], and young plasma improved memory in old mice [6]. Later blood exchange experiments found that the harm from old blood was often larger than the benefit from young blood [7], which moved research toward removing old plasma rather than adding young plasma.

• The FDA has not approved plasma from young donors for aging, memory loss or any of the conditions clinics market it for. Outside approved uses, it should only be given in a trial under an FDA investigational new drug application.
• Plasma transfusion risks include allergic reactions up to anaphylaxis, lung injury, fluid overload and a small remaining risk of infection.
• Fluid overload is a particular concern for people with heart disease, because large volumes can cause swelling and trouble breathing.
• Clinics have charged thousands of dollars per infusion. A listing on a trial registry or an FDA registration does not mean a clinic's treatment is approved.