Novel Analytical and Methodological Approaches to Preclinical Knowledge Synthesis in Stroke

Abstract

This thesis explores opportunities to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research in stroke through the conduct of three studies: a Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) and systematic review of preclinical stroke therapies, a systematic review and meta-analysis of C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) antagonists co-designed with patient partners, and an assessment of patient engagement in the systematic review process. The first study identifies a number of potential therapies while also underlining the challenges in their translation to human trials. The second investigation highlights the promising efficacy of CCR5 antagonists in preclinical models and notes existing gaps towards demonstrating clinical effectiveness. The final study focusses on the integration of patient perspectives, revealing the potential to align research with patient relevant outcomes. Collectively, the work highlights the importance of methodological rigour, transparent reporting, and patient engagement in enhancing the relevance and translatability of preclinical findings to clinical practice in stroke research.