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Does brain-derived neurotrophic factor mediate the effects of exercise on memory?
1Exercise & Memory Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA.
The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|April 20, 2019
Summary
Exercise boosts memory and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in animals. While promising, the link between exercise, BDNF, and memory in humans requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein crucial for neuronal survival, growth, and synaptic plasticity.
- Exercise is widely recognized for its positive effects on cognitive function, particularly memory.
- The precise molecular mechanisms linking exercise to memory enhancement are still under investigation, with BDNF being a key candidate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and evaluate the scientific literature on the role of BDNF in mediating the effects of exercise on memory function.
- To differentiate the evidence from animal models versus human studies regarding the exercise-BDNF-memory relationship.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, Sports Discus, Google Scholar).
- Studies were included if they investigated the effects of exercise on memory and/or BDNF levels, or examined BDNF as a mediator.
- A total of 52 relevant articles were identified and analyzed, comprising 36 animal studies and 16 human studies.
Main Results:
- Animal studies consistently showed that chronic exercise improved memory and increased BDNF levels, with strong evidence for BDNF mediating this relationship.
- Human studies presented mixed findings: 44% demonstrated exercise-induced improvements in memory and BDNF, and 40% provided evidence for BDNF mediating the exercise-memory link.
- The robustness of the exercise-BDNF-memory connection appears stronger and more consistently demonstrated in animal models compared to human populations.
Conclusions:
- In animal models, chronic exercise robustly enhances memory function and elevates BDNF, strongly suggesting BDNF's mediating role.
- The relationship between exercise, BDNF, and memory in humans is less clear and requires further research.
- Future human-based studies are essential to elucidate the extent to which BDNF mediates the cognitive benefits of exercise.
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