Correlation Between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is essential for neuronal health, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity, impacting cognitive function.
• Cognitive impairment is a significant concern in the elderly population, necessitating research into its underlying biological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between peripheral BDNF levels and cognitive impairment in older adults.
• To explore the relationship between BDNF and specific cognitive domains, including visuospatial-executive function and abstraction.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 88 elderly participants from a social service care setting.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Indonesian Version (MoCA-INA).
• Peripheral BDNF levels were quantified using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) on blood samples.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of participants (80.7%) exhibited cognitive impairment, with abstraction being the most affected domain (98.9%).
• A weak positive correlation was observed between BDNF levels and performance in the visuospatial-executive (r=0.232, p=0.029) and abstraction (r=0.249, p=0.019) domains.
• Individuals with cognitive impairment showed significantly lower BDNF levels compared to those with normal cognitive function (p=0.029).

Conclusions:

• BDNF levels are correlated with cognitive function in the elderly, especially in visuospatial-executive and abstraction abilities.
• These findings suggest a potential role for BDNF in the pathophysiology of age-related cognitive decline.
• Peripheral BDNF may serve as a biomarker for cognitive impairment in aging populations.