Review Article
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Depression, and Physical Activity: Making the Neuroplastic Connection
Table 1
Effects of physical activity on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
| Reference | Sample | Treatment | Assessment outcome |
| [233] | 13 young, healthy men | Moderate-intensity aerobic PA 4 d/wk for 5 wks | ↑ plasma BDNF | [234] | 7 healthy, sedentary males | Aerobic PA 7 d/wk for 12 wks | ↑ plasma BDNF | [238] | 60 older adults | Aerobic PA 3 d/wk for 60 wks | ↑ BDNF and ↑ hippocampal volume | [236] | 47 healthy, sedentary males | Aerobic PA 3 d/wk for 5 wks | ↑ serum BDNF following PA and ↑ memory on face name matching | [235] | 62 healthy, sedentary males | Moderate-intensity aerobic PA for 2 wks | ↑ serum BDNF following PA and ↑ memory on face name matching | [247] | 104 persons with partial response to antidepressants | Add-on high (16 kcal/kg/week) or low (4 KKW) PA for 12 wks to standard depression care | Persons entering with ↑ BDNF levels exhibited ↑ rate of response to antidepressants | [248] | 15 severely depressed adults | Add-on aerobic PA 16 kcal/kg/week for 3 d/wk for 3 wks to standard care for depression or medication-only group | Similar ↑ in BDNF in aerobic PA and medication-only group, but ↓ in oxidative stress markers seen only in PA group |
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