The AmeriMed Group (AMG) is a private corporation dedicated to conducting research into therapies that extend the healthy lifespans of adults. The AMG sponsors clinical trials designed to collect data about the safety and efficacy of different protocols for restoring and increasing the cognitive and physical abilities of elderly adults.
The AMG is currently sponsoring a study on the safety and effectiveness of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), where the plasma component of blood is removed from seniors and replaced with thoroughly screened plasma from healthy donors in their early 20s. (Note: There are also health benefits to the plasma donors.) Early research indicates that such a transfusion can improve cognition in the recipients via the growth of new brain cells and improve the recipient’s strength through the growth of new muscle cells.
Each year, there are more than 50 million paid plasma donations in the U.S. Demand has soared in recent years, due largely to proteins found in plasma (called immunoglobins), which help restore autoimmune deficiencies and other life-threaten disorders in patients who receive it. Last year there were 2,215,000 plasma infusions in the U.S.
The medicinal use of plasma is credited with savings tens of thousands of lives in WWII, when medics used it to restore lost blood in wounded soldiers. Because plasma by itself does not contain white and red blood cells, it does not have to match blood-types, so could be infused into any soldier. It also has strong clotting factors that help prevent bleeding.
Today, most plasma is collected through more than 1,200 plasma collection centers in the U.S., the number of which has more than doubled in the last decade. Centers typically collect about three quarters of a liter of plasma per donations. Unlike giving red blood, however, subjects can donate plasma twice weekly with no ill effects, according to the FDA.
For plasma donors there is virtually no danger. The FDA reports the possibility of a fatality for donors – typically a cardiac-related incident for an older donor – ranges from less than one in a million to as low as one in ten million.
One of the most promising experiments in healthy life extension – and age reversal – was conducted at Stanford University about 20 years ago. In that experiment, scientists tethered the circulatory system of one rat to another, a process called parabiosis. One rat was elderly, the other young. What happened was astonishing: the musculature of the older rat became younger, and its liver rejuvenated.
A decade later, part of the original research team, now at Harvard, conducted similar experiments showing that young blood could rejuvenate an elderly rat’s heart. Other researchers demonstrated that young blood could also grow new brain cells and increase neural cognition, effectively making the rat brains younger.
After further experimentation, the Harvard researchers concluded that the catalyst for age reversal was a protein in young plasma called GDF11. They discovered that injecting this protein directly into rat organs produced significant tissue rejuvenation. This same protein exists in the plasma of young humans but largely disappears once we reach 23 to 25 years old.
Since then, numerous studies with rats have verified the efficacy of what is now known as therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). While very few human experiments have been conducted, the results so far show great promise.
AmeriMed Group is actively conducting research into the efficacy of TPE. Plasma is collected from pre-screened young donors, thoroughly tested for all known pathogens, bacteria, and contaminants, and then frozen until it is ready for infusion in elderly patients (for TPE to work effectively, the donor must be younger than 25, which is when key proteins associated with youthful vigor start to disappear). This careful process ensures safety while exploring the potential of TPE to support healthier aging.
J.P. Faber has served as the secretary of the IRCM Institutional Review Board for the past eight years. The IRCM specializes in the ethical review of experiments in regenerative medicine for the FDA. Mr. Faber is also the author of several books on regenerative medicine, including The Beverly Hills Anti-Aging Prescription and Fully Charge
J.P. Faber has served as the secretary of the IRCM Institutional Review Board for the past eight years. The IRCM specializes in the ethical review of experiments in regenerative medicine for the FDA. Mr. Faber is also the author of several books on regenerative medicine, including The Beverly Hills Anti-Aging Prescription and Fully Charged, a look at the use of nutritional juicing. He was also the founding editor of New You, a quarterly periodical on the confluence of anti-aging medicine and cosmetic surgery.
Charles F. Mahl, M.D., is a physician and surgeon who specializes in the practice of Regenerative Medicine, including prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma injections and stem cell injections for the pain management of musculoskeletal conditions in Coral Gables, Florida. Dr. Mahl is also the immediate past president of the American Academy o
Charles F. Mahl, M.D., is a physician and surgeon who specializes in the practice of Regenerative Medicine, including prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma injections and stem cell injections for the pain management of musculoskeletal conditions in Coral Gables, Florida. Dr. Mahl is also the immediate past president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Medicineis and a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CSN), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), and is a member of the Florida Medical Reserve Corps and Miami-Dade Medical Reserve Corps/Department of Homeland Security (FEMA). He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons (ICS), and a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Pascal J. Goldschmidt-Clermont is a Belgian-American cardiologist and cardiovascular researcher, and former dean of the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. Until January 2016, he also served as chief executive officer of the University of Miami Health System (UHealth), which includes six hospitals and outpatient faciliti
Pascal J. Goldschmidt-Clermont is a Belgian-American cardiologist and cardiovascular researcher, and former dean of the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. Until January 2016, he also served as chief executive officer of the University of Miami Health System (UHealth), which includes six hospitals and outpatient facilities in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, and Collier counties. He is currently medical director for the Lennar Corporation, where he oversees the health and well-being of 13,265 employees.
Yousra Benkirane is responsible for coordinating and organizing the research activities of the AMG, including patient intake, subject scheduling, relationships with storage and testing laboratories, maintenance of clinical records and research data, and patient interface. She is also a graduate of Florida International University and a gr
Yousra Benkirane is responsible for coordinating and organizing the research activities of the AMG, including patient intake, subject scheduling, relationships with storage and testing laboratories, maintenance of clinical records and research data, and patient interface. She is also a graduate of Florida International University and a graduate student in international business at American University.
2024
Exercised blood plasma promotes hippocampal neurogenesis in the Alzheimer's disease rat brain. (2024)
Norevik CS, Huuha AM, Røsbjørgen RN, Hildegard Bergersen L, Jacobsen K… Tari AR.
J Sport Health Sci. 2024 Mar;13(2):245-255.
PMID: 37500010
DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.07.003
Small extracellular vesicles from young plasma reverse age-related functional declines by improving mitochondrial energy metabolism. (2024)
Chen X, Luo Y, Zhu Q… Chen X.
Nat Aging. 2024 Jun;4(6):814-838.
PMID: 38627524
DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00612-4
Aging and age-related diseases with a focus on therapeutic potentials of young blood/plasma. (2023–24)
Hosseini L, Shahabi P, Fakhari A… Abolhasanpour N.
Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol.
PMID: 37552316
Full Article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00210-023-02657-5
2023
Young plasma transfer recovers decreased sperm counts and restores epigenetics in aged testis. (2022–23)
Erdogan K, Ceylani T, Teker HT… Uysal F.
Exp Gerontol. 2023 Feb;172:112042.
PMID: 36481396
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2022.112042
Platelet factors attenuate inflammation and rescue cognition in ageing. (2023)
Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10468395/
2022
Old plasma dilution reduces human biological age: a clinical study. (2022)
Full article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-022-00645-w
The effect of young blood plasma administration on gut microbiota in middle-aged rats. (2022)
Archives of Microbiology 204:541
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-022-03154-8
2021
Plasma from Young Rats Injected into Old Rats Induce Antiaging Effects. (2021)
Full text: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/rej.2020.2354
Pregnancy, a unique case of heterochronic parabiosis and peripartum cardiomyopathy. (2021)
Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark, 26(9), 666-672
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52586/4975
The effect of aging on the bone healing properties of blood plasma. (2021)
Full article:
https://www.injuryjournal.com/article/S0020-1383(21)00426-5/fulltext
2020
Blood factors transfer beneficial effects of exercise on neurogenesis and cognition to the aged brain. (2020)
Horowitz AM… Villeda SA.
Science.
PMID: 32646997
Rejuvenation of three germ layer tissues by exchanging old blood plasma with saline-albumin. (2020)
Full text (PMC): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7288913/
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103418
AMBAR Study — Plasma exchange with albumin replacement for Alzheimer’s disease. (2020)
Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7984263/
Young blood plasma reduces Alzheimer's disease-like pathologies in mice. (2020)
Full article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7278124/
Circulating plasma factors involved in rejuvenation. (2020)
Full article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7746393/
2019
Plasma-Based Strategies for Therapeutic Modulation of Brain Aging. (2019)
Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6694331/
Safety, Tolerability, and Feasibility of Young Plasma Infusion — PASS Study. (2019)
Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6439869/
Young plasma ameliorates aging-related acute brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage. (2019)
Full article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6522807/
2018
Young Donor Plasma Transfusion and Age-Related Biomarkers. (2018)
Clinical trial: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02803554
Young blood products: emerging treatment for Alzheimer's disease? (2018)
Khoury R, Ghossoub E.
Summary: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5909972/ (related review)
Young Blood Rejuvenates Old Bodies: A Call for Reflection. (2018)
Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5836258/
Young Blood Plasma Administration to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease? (2017–18)
Full article: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/rej.2017.1940
2016–2017
Preclinical Assessment of Young Blood Plasma for Alzheimer Disease. (2016)
Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5172595/
Media Reports (2016–17)
– Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fountain-of-youth-young-blood-infusions-rejuvenate-old-mice/
– Inc. (Peter Thiel): https://www.inc.com/jeff-bercovici/peter-thiel-young-blood.html
– STAT News: https://www.statnews.com/2016/11/22/young-blood-transfusions/
2014
Vascular and neurogenic rejuvenation of the aging mouse brain by young systemic factors. (2014)
Katsimpardi L, Litterman NK… Rubin LL.
Summary: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1251141
Restoring systemic GDF11 levels reverses age-related dysfunction in mouse skeletal muscle. (2014)
Full text: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1251152
Young blood reverses age-related impairments in cognitive function. (2014)
Full article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24793238/
2013–2012
Heterochronic parabiosis: methods and considerations. (2013)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3683344/
Parabiosis in mice: a detailed protocol. (2013)
Heterochronic parabiosis for the study of stem cells and aging. (2012)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22617386/
Transfusion Safety Research
Transfusion-associated circulatory overload after plasma transfusion. (2012)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21762464/
Articles & Media Coverage
– Smithsonian Magazine (2023): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/old-mice-could-live-longer-sharing-young-blood-180982726/
– Harvard Gazette (2023): https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/08/blood-of-young-mice-extends-lives-of-old-mice/
– Medscape — FDA shutdown (2019): https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/909306
– STAT News (2018): https://www.statnews.com/2018/03/02/young-blood-anti-aging-study/
– New York Post (2018): https://nypost.com/2018/03/06/young-blood-is-worth-285k/
– Scientific American (2017): https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fountain-of-youth-young-blood-infusions-rejuvenate-old-mice/
– Maharaj Lecture (2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDOhem_lsYk
– “Use of Young Blood in the Elderly” interview (2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UZ-49FnoGw