Therapeutic potential of dehydroepiandrosterone for Parkinson's disease: scoping review protocol

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Its treatment is symptomatic and shows limited efficacy. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced in the brain. Several studies have reported beneficial effects of the steroid in experimental models of PD and various human diseases, but its potential for PD is inconclusive. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate current evidence to determine the therapeutic potential of DHEA administration for PD since it could be an effective and low-cost treatment. Objectives: We aim to evaluate the therapeutic potential of dehydroepiandrosterone administration in patients with PD. Inclusion criteria: Studies describing patients with PD receiving DHEA, and reporting an outcome --on disease course, severity, or adverse effects-- compared to either placebo, an inactive treatment or standard treatment. PD experimental models reporting an effect of DHEA treatment on measures of neuroprotection (cell death, motor activity, oxidative stress). Exclusion criteria: Studies written in languages different than Spanish or English that could not be appropriately translated, or whose full-text files could not be retrieved. Information sources: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and author's collections. Data charting: Data will be extracted by one researcher and verified by another using a pilot-tested predefined format. Non-systematic review articles (narrative, scoping or similar) will only be considered for narrative synthesis. This protocol complies with PRISMA 2020 statement and its main related extensions (PRISMA-A, PRISMA-P, PRISMA-Scr). It also complies with the Joanna Briggs Institute’s Manual for Evidence Synthesis.