Acute high-intensity aerobic exercise affects brain-derived neurotrophic factor in mild cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cognitive response to a short bout of high-intensity aerobic exercise in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsParticipants were randomised to one of two testing schedules, completing either a standardised exercise test (group A) or a resting control condition (group B). Blood sampling and cognitive measures (visuospatial learning and memory, sustained attention and executive function) were collected at baseline (T1) and postintervention (T2). An additional measurement of study outcomes was collected after exercise (T3) in group B only.Results64 participants (female 53.2%, mean age 70.5±6.3 years) with MCI were recruited. From T1 to T2, serum BDNF (sBDNF) concentration increased in group A (n=35) (median (Md) 4564.61±IQR 5737.23 pg/mL to Md 5173.27±5997.54 pg/mL) and decreased in group B (Md 4593.74±9558.29 pg/mL to Md 3974.66±3668.22 pg/mL) (between-group difference p=0.024, effect size r=0.3). The control group made fewer errors on the sustained attention task compared with the exercise group (p=0.025). Measures of visuospatial learning and memory or executive function did not change significantly between groups.ConclusionThis study is the first to show that a short bout of high-intensity aerobic exercise increases peripheral sBDNF in a population with MCI. However, acute exercise did not improve cognitive performance.

Immediate effect of high-intensity exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Although the present results are based on findings in healthy young adults, the increase in BDNF levels, and presumably its related cognitive benefits, 4 could be potentially extrapolated to people with aging-related cognitive disorders. 2 , 54 Nevertheless, we should carefully interpret these results because of the high variability in BDNF responses. 37 , 44 …”

Effects of Combined Physical Movement Activity and Multifaceted Cognitive Training in Older People with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder in a Rural Community: A Randomized Control Trial

“…One study reported that exercise training benefited strength, but that no significant effects were found on cognitive functions compared to no exercise [47]. Another reported that a single short bout of high-intensity exercise was of benefit to the brain because it increased the concentration of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, but it did not improve visuospatial learning, memory, sustained attention, or executive function [48]. However, there is evidence to suggest that physical activity or physical exercise improves blood circulation in the brain which may be accompanied by an increase in cognitive function [15, 49, 50].…”

Network Physiology in Aging and Frailty: The Grand Challenge of Physiological Reserve in Older Adults

“…In animal models, research has shown that exercise induces an anti-inflammatory environment in peripheral organs and also increases expression of anti-inflammatory molecules within the brain, which supports the hypothesis that exercise can reduce or slow the cellular and cognitive impairments associated with neuro degeneration by modulating neuro inflammation (Kelly, 2018). In humans, research has shown that acute high-intensity aerobic exercise affects brainderived neurotrophic factor in mild cognitive impairment (Devenney et al, 2019), but more studies are required to understand the complex dynamic interactions between physical and cognitive functions in aging. One example of this complexity is that exercise may affect vascular health (e.g., endothelial function, blood pressure reduction), which in turn could reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease (Mahalakshmi et al, 2020).…”