BDNF mediates adaptive brain and body responses to energetic challenges

Abstract

Emerging findings suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serves widespread roles in regulating energy homeostasis by controlling patterns of feeding and physical activity, and by modulating glucose metabolism in peripheral tissues. BDNF mediates beneficial effects of energetic challenges such as vigorous exercise and fasting on cognition, mood, cardiovascular function and peripheral metabolism. By stimulating glucose transport and mitochondrial biogenesis BDNF bolsters cellular bioenergetics and protects neurons against injury and disease. By acting in the brain and periphery, BDNF increases insulin sensitivity and parasympathetic tone. Genetic factors, a ‘couch potato’ lifestyle and chronic stress impair BDNF signaling, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Novel BDNF-focused interventions are being developed for obesity, diabetes and neurological disorders.

No Change in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels Following a Single Session of Light to-Moderate Intensity Walk in Chronic Stroke Patients

“…It is important to clarify that the levels of these neurotrophins can be influenced by various factors such as obesity and habitual physical activity [39][40][41][42]. BDNF is also expressed in adipose tissue and may be accompanied by elevated levels of cortisol, and a subliminal inflammatory process that occurs in obesity [39,40].…”

“…BDNF is also expressed in adipose tissue and may be accompanied by elevated levels of cortisol, and a subliminal inflammatory process that occurs in obesity [39,40].…”

The neurotoxic effects of vitamin A and retinoids

“…It was reported that retinol palmitate supplementation (1,000 to 9,000 IU/day -1 ) for 28 days decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the rat hippocampus (De Oliveira et al 2011a). BDNF regulates neuronal plasticity, bioenergetics, mitochondrial biogenesis, and neuronal survival, to cite a few (Cheng et al 2010, Agrawal et al 2014, Marosi and Mattson 2014. Decreased BDNF may lead to limited mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dysfunction during events of neurotoxicity.…”

Caloric restriction suppresses exercise-induced hippocampal BDNF expression in young male rats

“…Neurotrophic factors are pivotal for many central nervous system functions such as neuronal survival, migration, and synaptogenesis 5) . In particular, BDNF plays crucial roles in the brain development, maintenance, and plasticity of neurons 6) , which contribute substantially to the prevention of depression and Alzheimer diseases through maintaining or improving memory and learn-ing function 7) . It is widely accepted that exercise training stimulates various signaling mechanisms that lead to BDNF upregulation, particularly in the hippocampus, thereby modulating cognitive functions by improving neurogenesis and neuronal activity [6][7][8][9][10] .…”

“…In particular, BDNF plays crucial roles in the brain development, maintenance, and plasticity of neurons 6) , which contribute substantially to the prevention of depression and Alzheimer diseases through maintaining or improving memory and learn-ing function 7) . It is widely accepted that exercise training stimulates various signaling mechanisms that lead to BDNF upregulation, particularly in the hippocampus, thereby modulating cognitive functions by improving neurogenesis and neuronal activity [6][7][8][9][10] . Previous studies demonstrated that low-intensity exercise increased hippocampal BDNF and gene expression to a greater extent than moderate-or vigorous-intensity exercise 11,12) .…”