A single session of moderate intensity walking increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the chronic post-stroke patients

作者：Carvalho de Morais Viviane Aparecida; da Silva Tourino Marina Ferreira; de Souza Almeida Ana Carolina; Dias Albuquerque Thais Bueno; Linhares Roberta Castro; Christo Paulo Pereira; Martinelli Patricia Massara; Scalzo Paula Luciana

来源：Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 2018, 25(1): 1-5.

DOI：10.1080/10749357.2017.1373500

• Stroke
• brain-derived neurotrophic factor
• aerobic exercise
• neuroplasticity
• rehabilitation

Background: Aerobic exercise, even for short durations, may promote an increase in serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, it is necessary to determine the optimal exercise types and intensities to increase BDNF levels.
Objectives: This aim of this study was investigate the effects of mild and moderate intensity acute aerobic exercise on serum BDNFlevels in patients in the chronic post-stroke phase.
Methods: The participants answered a socio-demographic questionnaire, cognitive assessment (Mini Mental State Examination), assessment of depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Scale), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and functional capacity (6-minute walk test). Blood samples were collected before and after each session. The measurement of the concentration of BDNF was performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Patients were asked to walk for 30-min in the target training zone (mild intensity, 50-63% of maximum heart rate, and moderate intensity, 64-76% of maximum heart rate), once each week for 2 consecutive weeks.
Results: Our results indicate that 30min of acute aerobic exercise at a moderate intensity, but not at a mild intensity, increases serum BDNFlevels in the chronic post-stroke phase.
Conclusions: This study suggests a potential mechanism for the beneficial effects of exercise as a component of recovery from stroke, and provides the basis for future studies that will elucidate the specific parameters for clinical applications.

• 出版日期2018