Oda Bugge Kambestad
Serum BDNF Levels in Response to Acute Exercise in Adults between 60-75 Years
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Abstract
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has neuroplastic effects on the brain, and its emissions seem to be modulated by physical exercise both in humans and in animals. While having many interesting implications, the research surrounding this neurotrophic factor is incomplete. Especially little is known about how BDNF acts in older adult populations.
The aims of this study were to elucidate how BDNF acts in the ageing brain, and to investigate whether physical exercise could impact the emissions of this biomolecule by measuring peripheral levels of serum BDNF. Research on healthy adults in the second half of life is often underprioritized, and this study seeks to aid in the basic understanding of how BDNF may affect healthy populations in the age groups 60 and above.
26 individuals between the ages 62-75 years went through one aerobic exercise intervention, with blood samples drawn to measure serum BDNF levels right before and after the exercise session. Participants were also genetically tested for the genetic polymorphism called Val66Met which is suspected to influence BDNF emissions in both animals and humans.
Our analyses indicated that participants’ baseline serum BDNF levels tended to rise with age. Results also showed that one acute aerobic exercise session generally led to increased levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor across our participants but that this response seemed to be influenced by each participant’s genetic status.
This master's project was a part of the project Physical exercise augmented cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults with generalised anxiety disorder (PEXACOG) at Solli DPS.
Supervisors
Main supervisor Silje Haukenes Stavestrand
Main supervisor Kristine Sirevåg
Co-supervisor Jelena Mrdalj
