A pilot study on the effect of cognitive training on BDNF serum levels in individuals with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, besides motor dysfunctions, may also display mild cognitive deficits (MCI) which increase with disease progression. The neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in the survival of dopaminergic neurons and in the regulation of synaptic connectivity. Moreover, the brain and peripheral level of this protein may be significantly reduced in PD patients. These data suggest that a cognitive rehabilitation protocol aimed at restoring cognitive deficits in PD patients may also involve changes in this neurotrophin. Thus, in this pilot study we evaluated the effect of a cognitive rehabilitation protocol focused on the training of executive functioning and measured BDNF serum levels in a group of PD patients with mild cognitive impairment, as compared to the effect of a placebo treatment (n = 7/8 group). The results showed that PD patients undergoing the cognitive rehabilitation, besides improving their cognitive performance as measured with the Zoo Map Test, also displayed increased serum BDNF levels as compared to the placebo group. These findings suggest that BDNF serum levels may represent a biomarker of the effects of cognitive rehabilitation in PD patients affected by MCI. However, the functional significance of this increase in PD as well as other neuropathological conditions remains to be determined.

BDNF Responses in Healthy Older Persons to 35 Minutes of Physical Exercise, Cognitive Training, and Mindfulness: Associations with Working Memory Function

“…There are several possible explanations for this, including the short training period; in order for cognitive training to cause a measurable increase in serum BDNF, prolonged training, i.e., over weeks, might be required. Promising and partial support for this approach already exists from two recent studies that found prolonged cognitive training to increase levels of serum BDNF in patients with heart failure [69] schizophrenia [70], and with Parkinson’s disease [71]. Related to length of training as a possible explanation for the lack of a BDNF effect from cognitive training and mindfulness in our study, is the possibility of a difference in serum BDNF origin between the different exercises we compared.…”

Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Asian Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…High IL-6 levels have been associated with a variety of inflammation-associated diseases including rheumatoid arthritis [13], asthma [23] and obesity [24]. In contrast, lower IL-6 levels are associated with higher scores in positive relationships.…”

Neuroendocrine and neurotrophic signaling in Huntington’s disease: Implications for pathogenic mechanisms and treatment strategies

“…Furthermore, cognitive training has been shown to reduce stress-related symptoms and improve sleep onset latency and efficiency in individuals with stress-related exhaustion (162) and in older adults with insomnia (163), respectively. The regulation of stress symptoms and improved sleep efficiency could facilitate an increase in BDNF, which has been reported following cognitive training in individuals with PD (164).…”