Exercise and circulating BDNF: Mechanisms of release and implications for the design of exercise interventions

Walsh, Jeremy J.; Tschakovsky, Michael E.

doi:10.1139/apnm-2018-0192

Cited by 256Nerve injury and regenerationPhysical Activity and HealthExercise and Physiological Responses

Exercise and circulating BDNF: Mechanisms of release and implications for the design of exercise interventions

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Walsh, Jeremy J., Tschakovsky, Michael E.·2018·Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism

DOI 10.1139/apnm-2018-0192

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Abstract

Engagement in regular bouts of exercise confers numerous positive effects on brain health across the lifespan. Acute bouts of exercise transiently improve cognitive function, while long-term exercise training stimulates brain plasticity, improves brain function, and helps to stave off neurological disease. The action of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a candidate mechanism underlying these exercise-induced benefits and is the subject of considerable attention in the exercise-brain health literature. It is well established that acute exercise increases circulating levels of BDNF and numerous studies have sought to characterize this response for the purpose of improving brain health. Despite the interest in BDNF responses to exercise, little focus has been given to understanding the sources and mechanisms that underlie this response for the purpose of deliberately increasing circulating levels of BDNF. Here we review evidence to support that exploiting these mechanisms of BDNF release can help to optimize brain plasticity outcomes via exercise interventions, which could be especially relevant in the context of multimodal training (i.e., exercise and cognitive stimulation). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the candidate sources of BDNF during exercise and the mechanisms of release. As well, we discuss strategies for maximizing BDNF responses to exercise, and propose novel research directions for advancing our understanding of these mechanisms.

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Platelets do not produce BDNF.
“This concept is supported also by the fact that platelets do not produce BDNF.”
From BDNF as a Promising Therapeutic Agent in Parkinson’s Disease (2020) · cites this paper as [173]

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Riluzole Stimulates BDNF Release from Human Platelets
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Self-citation
An evaluation of acute excercise as a cognitive enhancer : assessment of underlying mechanisms
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운동과 뇌신경성장인자(BDNF)에 대한 고찰
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Evidence for a release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from the brain during exercise
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Authors: Walsh, J. J., & Tschakovsky, M. E.
Affiliations: Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CA)
Queen's University (CA)
ORCID: Walsh, Jeremy J.
Tschakovsky, Michael E.
Venue: Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Published: 2018-11
Volume: 43
Issue: 11
Pages: 1095-1104
ISSN: 1715-5312 (ISSN-L)
1715-5320
DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2018-0192
OpenAlex: W2803921770
Cited by: 256
References: 84
Citations by year: 2026: 28 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 2.04
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
hdl.handle.net
Licence: www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining (tdm)
Locations: Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
TSpace (University of Toronto) (acceptedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Nerve injury and regeneration
Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
Keywords: brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF release, physical activity, neuroplasticity, exercise intervention, multimodal training, cognitive stimulation, acute exercise, neurodegenerative disease prevention
MeSH terms: Humans, Neuronal Plasticity, Exercise, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

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Exercise and circulating BDNF: Mechanisms of release and implications for the design of exercise interventions

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