Aerobic exercise increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in sub-acute stroke: a randomized controlled trial.
Christopher P Mackay, Suzanne Kuys, Mia Schaumberg et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This parallel-group randomised controlled trial tested whether adding moderate-to-high-intensity treadmill walking to usual rehabilitation increased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in people with subacute stroke. Sixty-seven participants, on average 26 days post-stroke, received usual care alone or usual care plus three 30-minute sessions weekly for 8 weeks. BDNF differed between groups across measurements at baseline, week 8 and week 26 (F = 3.14, p = 0.048). In the exercise group, levels rose by 18% from baseline to week 8, then fell by 18% by week 26, returning to baseline.
Key findings
- Across baseline, week 8 and week 26, BDNF levels differed between groups (F = 3.14, p = 0.048).
- In the exercise group, BDNF increased by 18% from Week 0 to Week 8 (p = 0.020).
- From Week 8 to Week 26, BDNF in the exercise group decreased by 18% (p = 0.021), returning to baseline.
- The control group showed no significant BDNF change from Week 0 to Week 8 (p = 0.378) or Week 8 to Week 26 (p = 0.412).
Why it matters
The trial provides evidence that a structured aerobic exercise programme can temporarily increase a neurotrophin associated with neuronal plasticity and survival during subacute stroke rehabilitation. The return to baseline by follow-up indicates that the biomarker response was not sustained after the intervention period. BDNF change is a potential biological mechanism, not evidence by itself of improved functional recovery.
What to keep in mind
The reported outcome was serum BDNF; the abstract does not report whether the intervention improved functional recovery.