Journal article
BDNF mediates improvements in executive function following a 1-year exercise intervention
Frontiers in human neuroscience, Vol.8, pp.985-985
12/11/2014
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00985
PMCID: PMC4263078
PMID: 25566019
Abstract
Executive function declines with age, but engaging in aerobic exercise may attenuate decline. One mechanism by which aerobic exercise may preserve executive function is through the up-regulation of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), which also declines with age. The present study examined BDNF as a mediator of the effects of a 1-year walking intervention on executive function in 90 older adults (mean age = 66.82). Participants were randomized to a stretching and toning control group or a moderate intensity walking intervention group. BDNF serum levels and performance on a task-switching paradigm were collected at baseline and follow-up. We found that age moderated the effect of intervention group on changes in BDNF levels, with those in the highest age quartile showing the greatest increase in BDNF after 1-year of moderate intensity walking exercise (
p
= 0.036). The mediation analyses revealed that BDNF mediated the effect of the intervention on task-switch accuracy, but did so as a function of age, such that exercise-induced changes in BDNF mediated the effect of exercise on task-switch performance only for individuals over the age of 71. These results demonstrate that both age and BDNF serum levels are important factors to consider when investigating the mechanisms by which exercise interventions influence cognitive outcomes, particularly in elderly populations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- BDNF mediates improvements in executive function following a 1-year exercise intervention
- Creators
- Regina L Leckie - Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of PittsburghLauren E Oberlin - Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of PittsburghMichelle W Voss - Department of Psychology, University of IowaRuchika S Prakash - Department of Psychology, Ohio State UniversityAmanda Szabo-Reed - Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical CenterLaura Chaddock-Heyman - Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of IllinoisSiobhan M Phillips - Department of Preventative Medicine, Northwestern University Medical SchoolNeha P Gothe - Department of Kinesiology, Wayne State UniversityEmily Mailey - Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State UniversityVictoria J Vieira-Potter - Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of IllinoisStephen A Martin - Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of IllinoisBrandt D Pence - Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of IllinoisMingkuan Lin - Department of Neuroscience, George Mason UniversityRaja Parasuraman - Department of Psychology, George Mason UniversityPamela M Greenwood - Department of Psychology, George Mason UniversityKarl J Fryxell - School of Molecular Biology, George Mason UniversityJeffrey A Woods - Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of IllinoisEdward McAuley - Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of IllinoisArthur F Kramer - Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of IllinoisKirk I Erickson - Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in human neuroscience, Vol.8, pp.985-985
- DOI
- 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00985
- PMID
- 25566019
- PMCID
- PMC4263078
- NLM abbreviation
- Front Hum Neurosci
- ISSN
- 1662-5161
- eISSN
- 1662-5161
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media S.A
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/11/2014
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984002337402771
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