Physical Exercise Improves Peripheral BDNF Levels and Cognitive Functions in Mild Cognitive Impairment Elderly with Different BDNF Val66Met Genotypes

Author(s)

Crispim Nascimento, Carla Manuela ^[1] ; Pereira, Jessica Rodrigues ^[1] ; de Andrade, Larissa Pires ^[1] ; Garuffi, Marcelo ^[1] ; Ayan, Carlos ^[2] ; Kerr, Daniel Shikanai ^{[3, 4]} ; Talib, Leda Leme ^{[3, 4]} ; Cominetti, Marcia Regina ^[5] ; Stella, Florindo ^{[1, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Dept Educ Fis, Lab Envelhecimento & Atividade Fis LAFE, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Vigo, Fac Ciencias Deporte, HealthyFyt Grp, Vigo 36310 - Spain

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinary Res Appl Neurosci NAPNA, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept & Inst Psiquiatria, Lab Neurociencias LIM 27, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Gerontol, Lab Biol Envelhecimento LABEN, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE; v. 43, n. 1, p. 81-91, 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 44

Abstract

The benefits of physical exercise on improvements in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and cognitive functioning have been reported in the literature. However, the variability of individual responses may be linked to genetic differences. BDNF is considered one of the most plausible factors involved in the cognitive benefits associated with physical activity practice. A single nucleotide polymorphism localized in the gene that codes BDNF results in a missense mutation that promotes an amino acid substitution (Val66Met) in the protein. This process has been associated with decreased levels of BDNF secretion, with corresponding impairments in specific cognitive functions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a multimodal physical exercise program on peripheral BDNF levels and cognitive functions in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The participants were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Cognitive functions were assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) prior to and after the intervention. Forty-five participants were assigned to the control and trained groups. The trained group participated in a multimodal physical training for a 16-week period. The results showed a significant between-subjects interaction (p < 0.05), which indicates the beneficial contribution of training on cognitive functions independent of the BDNF genotype. However, only participants with BDNF-Met genotypes exhibited significant improvements in peripheral BDNF levels. The BDNF genotype appears to modulate the effects of physical exercise on BDNF secretion, but it does not influence cognition. This is the first study that evaluated the influence of a BDNF polymorphism on physical activity and cognition performance in elderly MCI individuals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 02/13633-7 - Phospholipid metabolism in neuropsychiatric disorders
• Grantee: Wagner Farid Gattaz
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants