Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Neuroplasticity — Exercise-Induced Response of Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies in Human Subjects

  • Research Review Article
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Exercise is known to induce a cascade of molecular and cellular processes that support brain plasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an essential neurotrophin that is also intimately connected with central and peripheral molecular processes of energy metabolism and homeostasis, and could play a crucial role in these induced mechanisms.

This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the effects of acute exercise and/or training on BDNF in healthy subjects and in persons with a chronic disease or disability. A systematic and critical literature search was conducted. Articles were considered for inclusion in the review if they were human studies, assessed peripheral (serum and/or plasma) BDNF and evaluated an acute exercise or training intervention. Nine RCTs, one randomized trial, five non-randomized controlled trials, five non-randomized non-controlled trials and four retrospective observational studies were analysed. Sixty-nine percent of the studies in healthy subjects and 86%of the studies in persons with a chronic disease or disability, showed a ‘mostly transient’ increase in serum or plasma BDNF concentration following an acute aerobic exercise. The two studies regarding a single acute strength exercise session could not show a significant influence on basal BDNF concentration. In studies regarding the effects of strength or aerobic training on BDNF, a difference should be made between effects on basal BDNF concentration and training-induced effects on the BDNF response following an acute exercise. Only three out of ten studies on aerobic or strength training (i.e. 30%) found a training-induced increase in basal BDNF concentration. Two out of six studies (i.e. 33%) reported a significantly higher BDNF response to acute exercise following an aerobic or strength training programme (i.e. compared with the BDNF response to an acute exercise at baseline). A few studies of low quality (i.e. retrospective observational studies) show that untrained or moderately trained healthy subjects have higher basal BDNF concentrations than highly trained subjects. Yet, strong evidence still has to come from good methodological studies.

Available results suggest that acute aerobic, but not strength exercise increases basal peripheral BDNF concentrations, although the effect is transient. From a few studies we learn that circulating BDNF originates both from central and peripheral sources. We can only speculate which central regions and peripheral sources in particular circulating BDNF originates from, where it is transported to and to what purpose it is used and/or stored at its final destination. No study could show a long-lasting BDNF response to acute exercise or training (i.e. permanently increased basal peripheral BDNF concentration) in healthy subjects or persons with a chronic disease or disability. It seems that exercise and/or training temporarily elevate basal BDNF and possibly upregulate cellular processing of BDNF (i.e. synthesis, release, absorption and degradation). From that point of view, exercise and/or training would result in a higher BDNF synthesis following an acute exercise bout (i.e. compared with untrained subjects). Subsequently, more BDNF could be released into the blood circulation which may, in turn, be absorbed more efficiently by central and/or peripheral tissues where it could induce a cascade of neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Table I
Table II
Table III
Table IV
Table V
Table VI

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. It should be noted that in the studies of Rojas Vega et al.[63,64] and Gustafsson et al.,[58] an acute exercise of low to moderate intensity preceded the GXT. This could influence the effect of a GXT on peripheral BDNF levels. The preceding exercise of low to moderate intensity, together with the GXT, has also been evaluated as a prolonged acute exercise protocol of high intensity and will be discussed in section 2.6.1.

  2. In the study of Laske et al.,[59] BDNF concentration in healthy control subjects did not increase following an acute exercise of high intensity.

  3. In the study of Gustafsson et al.,[58] a significant increase in [BDNF]p following an acute exercise of high intensity was only found in male control subjects.

  4. In the study of Gustafsson et al.,[58] a significant increase in [BDNF]p following an acute exercise of low to moderate intensity was only found in male persons with MDD.

  5. Seifert et al.[68] found an increase in [BDNF]p measured in the vena jugularis but not in arterial [BDNF]p following an aerobic training programme.

  6. Baker et al.[50] only found an increase in men with mild cognitive impairment.

References

  1. Hennigan A, O’Callaghan RM, Kelly AM. Neurotrophins and their receptors: roles in plasticity, neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. Biochem Soc Trans 2007; 35: 424–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Johnston MV. Plasticity in the developing brain: implications for rehabilitation. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2009; 15: 94–101

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Neeper SA, Gómez-Pinilla F, Choi J, et al. Exercise and brain neurotrophins [letter]. Nature 1995; 373 (6510): 109

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Neeper SA, Gómez-Pinilla F, Choi J, et al. Physical activity increases mRNA for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in rat brain. Brain Res 1996; 726 (1-2): 49–56

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Vaynman S, Gomez-Pinilla F. License to run: exercise impacts functional plasticity in the intact and injured central nervous system by using neurotrophin. Neurorehab Neur Repair 2005; 19 (4): 283–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Murer MG, Yan Q, Raisman-Vozari R. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the control human brain, and in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Prog Neurobiol 2001; 63: 71–124

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Sarchielli P, Greco L, Stipa A, et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 2002; 132: 180–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. White LJ, Castellano V. Exercise and brain health — implications for multiple sclerosis: part 1 — neuronal growth factors. Sports Med 2008; 38 (2): 91–100

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Liguori M, Fera F, Patitucci A, et al. A longitudinal observation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Brain Res 2009; 1256: 123–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Matthews VB, Astrom MB, Chan MH, et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is produced by skeletal muscle cells in response to contraction and enhances fat oxidation via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Diabetologica 2009; 52 (7): 1409–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Pedersen BK, Pedersen M, Krabbe KS, et al. Role of exercise-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor production in the regulation of energy homeostasis in mammals. Exp Physiol 2009; 94 (12): 1153–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Gomez-Pinilla F, Vanyman S, Ying Z. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor functions as a metabotrophin to mediate the effects of exercise on cognition. Eur J Neurosci 2008; 28: 2278–87

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Vaynman S, Ying Z, Gomez-Pinilla F. Hippocampal BDNF mediates the efficacy of exercise on synaptic plasticity and cognition. Eur J Neurosci 2004; 20: 2580–90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Dishman RK, Berthoud HR, Booth FW, et al. Neurobiology of exercise. Obesity 2006; 14 (3): 345–55

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Cotman CW, Berchtold NC, Christie LA. Exercise builds brain health: key roles of growth factor cascades and inflammation. Trends Neurosci 2007; 30 (9): 464–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Van Praag H. Neurogenesis and exercise: past and future directions. Neuromol Med 2008; 10: 128–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. van Praag H. exercise and the brain: something to chew on. Trends Neurosci 2009; 32 (5): 283–90

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Barde YA, Edgar D, Thoenen H. Purification of a new neurotrophic factor from mammalian brain. EMBO J 1982; 1 (5): 549–53

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Maisonpierre PC, Le BeauMM, Espinosa R, et al. Human and rat brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3: gene structures, distributions, and chromosomal localizations. Genomics 1991; 10 (3): 558–68

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Binder DK, Scharfman HE. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Growth Factors 2004; 22 (3): 123–31

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Pruunsild P, Kazantseva A, Aid T, et al. Dissecting the human BDNF locus: bidirectional transcription, complex splicing, and multiple promoters. Genomics 2007; 90 (3): 397–406

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Egan MF, Kojima M, Callicott JH, et al. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism affects activity-dependent secretion of BDNF and human memory and hippocampal function. Cell 2003; 112: 257–69

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Chen Z, Bath K, McEwan B, et al. Impact of genetic variant BDNF (Val66Met) on brain structure and function. Novartis Found Symp 2008; 289: 180–95

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Shimizu E, Hashimoto K, Iyom M. Ethnic differences of the BDNF 196 G/A (val66met) polymorphism frequencies: the possibility to explain ethnic metal traits. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2004; 126: 122–3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Casey BJ, Glatt CE, Tottenham N, et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a model system for examining gene by environment interactions across development. Neuroscience 2009; 164: 108–20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Gratacos M, Gonzalez JR, Mercader JM, et al. Brain derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met and psychiatric disorders: meta-analysis of case-control studies confirm association to substance-related disorders, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2007; 61 (7): 911–22

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Barde YA. Neurotrophins: a family of proteins supporting the survival of neurons. Prog Clin Biol Res 1994; 390: 45–56

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Lindsay RM. Neurotrophic growth factors and neurodegenerative diseases: therapeutic potential of the neurotrophins and ciliary neurotrophic factor. Neurobiol Aging 1994; 15 (2): 249–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Lewin GR. Neurotrophins and the specification of neuronal phenotype. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 1996; 351 (1338): 405–11

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Alsina B, Vu T, Cohen-Cory S. Visualizing Synapse formation in arborizing optic axons in vivo: dynamics and modulation by BDNF. Nat Neurosci 2001; 4 (11): 1093–101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Cotman CW, Berchtold NC. Exercise: a behavioral intervention to enhance brain health and plasticity. Trends Neurosci 2002; 25 (6): 295–301

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Tsuchida A, Nonomura T, Ono-Kishino M, et al. Acute effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on energy expenditure in obese diabetic mice. Int J Obesity 2001; 25: 1286–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Nakagawa T, Ono-Kishino M, Sugaru E, et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates glucose and energy metabolism in diabetic mice. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2002; 18 (3): 185–91

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Lebrun B, Bariohay B, Moyse E, et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and food intake regulation: a minireview. Auton Neurosci 2006; 126-127: 30–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Tsao D, Thomsen HK, Chou J, et al. TrkB agonists ameliorate obesity and associated metabolic conditions in mice. Endocrinology 2008; 149 (3): 1038–48

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Yamanaka M, Itakura Y, Ono-Kishino M, et al. Intermittent administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) ameliorates glucose metabolism and prevents pancreatic exhaustion in diabetic mice. J Biosci Bioeng 2008; 105 (4): 395–402

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Molteni R, Wu A, Vaynman S. Exercise reverses the harmful effects of consumption of a high-fat diet on synaptic and behavioral plasticity associated to the action of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Neuroscience 2004; 123 (2): 429–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Komori T, Morikawa Y, Nanjo K, et al. Induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor by leptin in the ventromedial hypothalamus. Neuroscience 2006; 139: 1107–15

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Gray J, Yeo GS, Cox JJ, et al. Hyperphagia, severe obesity, impaired cognitive function, and hyperreactivity associated with functional loss of one copy of the brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene. Diabetes 2006; 55 (12): 3366–71

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Araya AV, Orellana X, Espinoza J. Evaluation of the effect of caloric restriction on serum BDNF in overweight and obese subjects: preliminary evidences. Endocrine 2008; 33 (3): 300–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Wisse BE, Schwartz MW. The skinny on neurotrophins. Nat Neurosci 2003; 6 (7): 655–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Huang AM, Jen CJ, Chen HF, et al., Compulsive exercise acutely upregulates rat hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor. J Neural Transm 2006; 113 (7): 803–11

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Radak Z, Toldy A, Szabo Z, et al., The effects of training and detraining on memory, neurotrophins and oxidative stress markers in rat brain. Neurochem Int 2006; 49 (4): 387–92

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Ploughman M, Granter-Button S, Chernenko G, et al. Exercise intensity influences the temporal profile of growth factors involved in neuronal plasticity following focal ischemia. Brain Res 2007; 1150: 207–16

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Soya H, Nakamura T, Deocaris CC, et al. BDNF induction with mild exercise in the rat hippocampus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2007; 358 (4): 961–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Aguiar AS, Speck AE, Prediger RD, et al. Downhill training upregulates mice hippocampal and stratial brainderived neurotrophic factor levels. J Neural Transm 2008; 115 (9): 1251–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Gold SM, Schulz K, Hartmann S, et al., Basal serum levels and reactivity of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor to standardized acute exercise in multiple sclerosis and controls. J Neuroimmunol 2003; 183: 99–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Moher D, Cook DJ, Eastwood S, et al., Improving the quality of reports of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials: the QUOROM statement. Lancet 1999; 354: 1896–900

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. van Tulder M, Furlan A, Bombardier C. Updated method guidelines for systematic reviews in the Cochrane collaboration back review group. Spine 2003; 28 (12): 1290–9

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Baker LD, Frank LL, Foster-Schubert K, et al. Effects of aerobic exercise on mild cognitive impairment. Arch Neurol 2010; 67 (1): 71–9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Castellano V, White LJ. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor response to aerobic exercise in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2008; 269 (1-2): 85–91

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Chan KL, Tong KY, Yip SP. Relationship of serum brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and health-related lifestyle in healthy human subjects. Neurosci Lett 2008; 447 (2-3): 124–12

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Currie J, Ramsbottom R, Ludlow H, et al. Cardio-respiratory fitness, habitual physical activity and serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in men and women. Neurosci Lett 2009; 451 (2): 152–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Ferris LT, Williams JS, Shen C. The effect of acute exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and cognitive function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39 (4): 728–34

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Floël A, Ruscheweyh R, Krüger K, et al. Physical activity and memory functions: are neurotrophins and cerebral gray matter volume the missing link? Neuro Image 2010; 49: 2756–63

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Goekint M, Heyman E, Roelands B, et al. No influence of noradrenaline manipulation on acute exercise-induced increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008; 40 (11): 1990–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Goekint M, De Pauw K, Roelands B, et al. Strength training does not influence serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Eur J Appl Physiol. Epub 2010 May 14

    Google Scholar 

  58. Gustafsson G, Lira CM, Johansson J, et al. The acute response of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a result of exercise in major depression. Psychiatry Res 2009; 94 (12): 1159–60

    Google Scholar 

  59. Laske C, Banschbach S, Stransky E, et al. Exercise-induced normalization of decreased BDNF serum concentration in elderly women with remitted major depression. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2010; 13: 595–602

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Levinger I, Goodman C, Matthews V, et al. BDNF, metabolic risk factors and resistance training in middle-aged individuals. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2008; 40 (3): 535–41

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Nofuji Y, Suwa M, Moriyama Y, et al. Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in trained men. Neurosci Lett 2008; 437 (1): 29–32

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Rasmussen P, Brassard P, Adser H, et al. Evidence for a release of BDNF from the brain during exercise. Exp Physiol 2009; 94 (10): 1062–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Rojas Vega S, Strüder H, Vera Wahrmann B, et al. Acute BDNF and cortisol response to low intensity exercise and following ramp incremental exercise to exhaustion in humans. Brain Res 2006; 1121 (1): 59–65

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Rojas Vega S, Strüder HK, Vera Wahrman B, et al. Corrigendum to ‘acute BDNF and cortisol response to low intensity exercise and following ramp incremental exercise to exhaustion in humans’. Brain Res 2007; 1156: 174–5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Rojas Vega S, Abel T, Lindschulten R, et al. Impact of exercise on neuroplasticity-related proteins in spinal cord injured humans. Neuroscience 2008; 153 (4): 1064–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Schiffer T, Schulte S, Schulte S, et al. Effects of strength and endurance training on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and insulin-like growth factor 1 in humans. Horm Metab Res 2009; 41 (3): 250–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Schulz K, Gold SM, Witte J, et al. Impact of aerobic training on immune-endocrine parameters, neurotrophic factors, quality of life and coordinative function in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2004; 225 (1-2): 11–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Seifert T, Brassard P, Wissenberg M, et al. Endurance training enhances BDNF release from the human brain. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2010; 298 (2): R372–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Ströhle A, Stoy M, Graetz B, et al. Acute exercise ameliorates reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with panic disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010; 35: 364–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Tang SW, Chu E, Hui T, et al. Influence of exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations in healthy human subjects. Neurosci Lett 2008; 431 (1): 62–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Winter B, Breitenstein C, Mooren FC, et al. High impact running improves learning. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2007; 87 (4): 597–609

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Yarrow JF, White LJ, McCoy SC, et al. Training augments resistance exercise induced elevation of circulating brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Neurosci Lett 2010; 479 (2): 161–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Yarrow JF, Borsa PA, Borst SE, et al. Neuroendocrine responses to an acute bout of eccentric-enhanced resistance exercise. Med Sci Sport Ex 2007; 39: 941–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Yarrow JF, Borsa PA, Borst SE, et al. Early-phase neuroendocrine responses and strength adaptations following eccentric-enhanced resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 2008; 22: 1205–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Zoladz JA, Pilic A, Majerczak J, et al., Endurance training increases plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in young healthy men. J Physiol Pharmacol 2008; 59 (7): 119–32

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Borg GA. Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982; 14 (5): 377–81

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Lommatzsch M, Zingler D, Schuhbaeck K. The impact of age, weight and gender on BDNF levels in human platelets and plasma. Neurobiol Aging 2005; 26: 115–23

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Katoh-Semba R, Wakako R, Komori T. Age-related changes in BDNF protein levels in human serum: differences between autism cases and normal controls. Int J Devl Neurosci 2007; 25: 367–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Vaynman S, Gomez-Pinilla F. Revenge of the ‘Sit’: how lifestyle impact neuronal and cognitive health through molecular systems that interface energy metabolism with neuronal plasticity. J Neurosci Res 2006; 84: 699–715

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Proszasz J, Casaburi R, Somfay A, et al. A treadmill ramp protocol using simultaneous changes in speed and grade. Med Sci Sport Ex 2003; 35: 1596–603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Hagberg JM. Exercise assessment of arthritic and elderly individuals. Baillieres Clin Rheumatol 1994; 8 (1): 29–52

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Berchtold NC, Chinn G, Chou M, et al. Exercise primes a molecular memory for brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein induction in the rat hippocampus. Neurosci 2005; 133 (3): 853–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Levinger I, Goodman C, Hare DL, et al. The effect of resistance training on functional capacity and quality of life in individuals with high and low numbers of metabolic risk factors. Diabetes Care 2007; 30 (9): 2205–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Banfi G, Bauer K, Brand W, et al. Use of anticoagulants in diagnostic laboratory investigations and stability of blood, plasma and serum samples [report no. WHO/DIL/LAB/99.1 rev. 2]. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2002

    Google Scholar 

  85. Schneider DJ, Tracy PB, Mann KG, et al. Differential effects of anticoagulants on the activation of platelets ex vivo. Circulation 1997; 96: 2877–83

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Rosenfeld RD, Zeni L, Haniu M, et al. Purification and identification of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from human serum. Protein Expr Purif 1995; 6: 465–71

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Lommatzsch M, Schloetcke K, Klotz J, et al., Brainderived neurotrophic factor in platelets and airflow limitation in asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005; 171 (2): 115–20

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Ziegenhorn AA, Schulte-Herbrüggen O, Danker-Hopfe H. Serum neurotrophins: a study on the time course and influencing factors in a large old age sample. Neurobiol Aging 2007; 28: 1436–45

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Trajkovska V, Marcussen AB, Vinberg M, et al. Measurements of brain-derived neurotrophic factor: methodological aspects and demographical data. Brain Res Bull 2007; 73: 143–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Bärtsch P, Mairbäurl H, Friedmann B. Pseudo-anemia caused by sports. Ther Umsch 1998; 55 (4): 251–5

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Watts E. Athletes’ anaemia: a review of possible causes and guidelines on investigation. Br J Sports Med 1989; 23: 81–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Kargotich S, Goodman C, Keast D, et al. The influence of exercise-induced plasma volume changes on the interpretation of biochemical data following high-intensity exercise. Clin J Sport Med 1997; 7 (3): 185–91

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Kargotich S, Goodman C, Keast D, et al. The influence of exercise-induced plasma volume changes on the interpretation of biochemical parameters used for monitoring exercise, training and sport. Sports Med 1998; 26 (2): 101–17

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. van Beaumont W, Underkofler S, van Beaumont S. Erythrocyte volume, plasma volume, and acid-base changes in exercise and heat dehydration. J Appl Physiol 1981; 50 (6): 1255–62

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Noga O, Hanf G, Schäper C, et al. The influence of inhalative corticosteroids on circulating nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 in allergic asthmatics. Clin Exp Allergy 2001; 31: 1906–12

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Fuijimura H, Altar CA, Chen R, et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is stored in human platelets and released by agonist stimulation. J Thromb Haemost 2002; 87: 728–34

    Google Scholar 

  97. Karege F, Perret G, Bondolfi G. Decreased serum brainderived neurotrophic factor levels in major depressed patients. Psychiatry Res 2002; 109: 143–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Toyooka K, Asama K, Watanabe Y. Decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in serum of chronic schizophrenic patients. Psychiatry Res 2002; 110 (3): 249–57

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Shimizu E, Hashimoto K, Watanabe H, et al. Serum brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in schizophrenia are indistinguishable from controls. Neurosci Lett 2003; 351 (2): 111–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Kozicz T, Tilburg-Ouwens D, Faludi G, et al. Gender-related urocortin 1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the adult human midbrain of suicide victims with major depression. Neurosci 2008; 152 (4): 1015–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Monteleone P, Tortorella A, Martiadis V. Opposite changes in the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in anorexia nervosa and obesity. Psychosom Med 2004; 66: 744–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Begliuomini S, Lenzi E, Ninni F, et al. Plasma brainderived neurotrophic factor daily variations in men: correlation with cortisol circadian rhythm. J Endocrinol 2008; 197: 429–35

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Piccinni A, Marazziti D, Del Debbio A, et al. Diurnal variation of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in humans: an analysis of sex differences. Chronobiol Int 2008; 25 (5): 819–26

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Pluchino N, Cubeddu A, Begliuomini S, et al. Daily variation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cortisol in women with normal menstrual cycles, undergoing oral contraception and in postmenopause. Hum Reprod 2009; 24 (9): 2303–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  105. Azoulay D, Vachapova V, Shihman B, et al. Lower brainderived neurotrophic factor in serum of relapsing remittingMS: reversal by glaturamer acetate. J Neuroimmunol 2005; 167: 215–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Webster MJ, Herman MM, Kleinman JE, et al. BDNF and trkB mRNA expression in the hippocampus and temporal cortex during the human lifespan. Gene Expr Patterns 2006; 6: 941–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Hayashi M, Yamashita A, Shimizu K, et al. Somatostatin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression in the primate brain: decreased levels of mRNA during aging. Brain Res 1997; 749: 283–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. Silhol M, Bonnichon V, Rage F, et al. Age-related changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase receptor isoforms in the hippocampus and hypothalamus in male rats. Neuroscience 2005; 132: 613–24

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Silhol M, Arancibia S, Perrin D, et al. Effect of aging on brain-derived neurotrophic factor, proBDNF, and their receptors in the hippocampus of Lou/C rats. Rejuvenation Res 2008; 11 (6): 1031–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. Chen ZY, Patel PD, Sant G. Variant brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Met66) alters the intracellular trafficking and activity-dependent secretion of wild type BDNF in neurosecretory cells and cortical neurons. J Neurosci 2004; 24 (18): 4401–11

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Cassilhas RC, Viana VA, Grassmann V, et al. The impact of resistance exercise on the cognitive function of the elderly. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39 (8): 1401–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Vitiello MV, Wilkinson CW, Merriam GR, et al. Successful 6-month endurance training does not alter insulin like growth factor-I in healthy older men and women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1997; 52 (3): M149–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  113. Ding Q, Vaynman S, Akhavan M, et al. Insulin-like growth factor I interfaces with brain-derived neurotrophic factormediated synaptic plasticity to modulate aspects of exercise- induced cognitive function. Neuroscience 2006; 140: 823–33

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Poduslo JF, Curran GL. Permeability at the blood-brain and blood-nerve barriers of the neurotrophic factors: NGF, CNTF, NT-3, BDNF. Brain Res Mol Brain Res 1996; 36: 280–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Pan W, Banks WA, Fasold MB, et al. Transport of brainderived neurotrophic factor across the blood-brain barrier. Neuropharmacol 1998; 37: 1553–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. Griffin EW, Bechara RG, Birch AM. Exercise enhances hippocampal-dependent learning in the rat: evidence for a BDNF-related mechanism. Hippocampus 2009; 19: 973–80

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  117. Radka SF, Holst PA, Fritsche M, et al. Presence of brainderived neurotrophic factor in brain and human and rat but not mouse serum detected by a sensitive and specific immunoassay. Brain Res 1996; 709: 122–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Yamamoto H, Gurney ME. Human platelets contain brain-derived neurotrophic factor. J Neurosci 1990; 10 (11): 3469–76

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  119. Nakahashi T, Fujimura H, Altar CA. Vascular endothelial cells synthesize and secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor. FEBS Lett 2000; 470: 113–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  120. Sobue G, Yamamoto M, Doyu M. Expression of mRNAs for neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, and NT-3) and their receptors (p75NGFR, trk, trkB, and trkC) in human peripheral neuropathies. Neurochem Res 1998; 23 (6): 821–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  121. Besser M, Wank R. Cutting edge: clonally restricted production of the neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 mRNA by human immune cells and Th1/Th2-polarized expression of their receptors. J Immunol 1999; 162 (11): 6303–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  122. Kerschensteiner M, Gallmeier E, Behrens L, et al. Activated human T cells, B cells, and monocytes produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor in vitro and in inflammatory brain lesions: a neuroprotective role or inflammation? J Exp Med 1999; 189 (5): 865–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  123. Noga O, Englmann C, Hanf G, et al. The production, storage and release of the neurotrophins nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 by human peripheral eosinophils in allergics and non-allergics. Clin Exp Allergy 2003; 33: 649–54

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  124. Raap U, Goltz C, Deneka N, et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is increased in atopic dermatitis and modulates eosinophil functions compared with that seen in nonatopic subjects. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005; 115 (6): 1268–75

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  125. Rost B, Hanf G, Ohnemus U, et al. Monocytes of allergics and non-allergics produce, store and release the neurotrophins NGF, BDNF and NT-3. Regul Pept 2005; 124 (1-3): 19–25

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  126. Donovan MJ, Miranda RC, Kraemer R, et al. Neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells: regulation of expression in response to injury. Am J Pathol 1995; 147 (2): 309–24

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  127. Smith MA, Makino S, Kim SY. Stress increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger ribonucleic acid in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Endocrinology 1995; 136 (9): 3743–50

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  128. Tsukinoki K, Saruta J, Sasaguri Y, et al. Immobilization stress induces BDNF in rat submanidbular glands. J Dent Res 2006; 85: 844–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  129. Tsukinoki K, Saruta J, Muto N, et al. Submandibular glands contribute to increase in plasma BDNF. J Dent Res 2007; 86: 260–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  130. Adlard PA, Perreau VM, Cotman CW. The exerciseinduced expression of BDNF within the hippocampus varies across life-span. Neurobiol Aging 2005; 26: 511–20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The preparation of this article was funded by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and by the Research Foundation Flanders. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Physiology & Sports Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

    Kristel Knaepen, Maaike Goekint, Elsa Marie Heyman &  Romain Meeusen

  2. Aspirant of the Research Foundation Flanders, Brussels, Belgium

    Maaike Goekint

  3. Université Lille 2, Physical Activity, Sport, Health, Lille, France

    Elsa Marie Heyman

Authors
  1. Kristel Knaepen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maaike Goekint
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elsa Marie Heyman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Romain Meeusen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Romain Meeusen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Knaepen, K., Goekint, M., Heyman, E.M. et al. Neuroplasticity — Exercise-Induced Response of Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Sports Med 40, 765–801 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2165/11534530-000000000-00000

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/11534530-000000000-00000

Keywords

Search

Navigation