Lactate and BDNF: Key Mediators of Exercise Induced Neuroplasticity?
Open accessAbstract
Accumulating evidence from animal and human studies supports the notion that physical exercise can enhance neuroplasticity and thus reduce the risk of several neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., dementia). However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of exercise induced neuroplasticity are still largely unknown. One potential mediator of exercise effects is the neurotrophin BDNF, which enhances neuroplasticity via different pathways (e.g., synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, long-term potentiation). Current research has shown that (i) increased peripheral lactate levels (following high intensity exercise) are associated with increased peripheral BDNF levels, (ii) lactate infusion at rest can increase peripheral and central BDNF levels and (iii) lactate plays a very complex role in the brain’s metabolism. In this review, we summarize the role and relationship of lactate and BDNF in exercise induced neuroplasticity.
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BDNF's ability to mediate LTP by protein synthesis and neurogenic effects implies its ability to enhance lipolysis during recovery.
“which implies its ability to enhance lipolysis during recovery.”
From High-intensity interval training or lactate administration combined with aerobic training enhances visceral fat loss while promoting VMH neuroplasticity in female rats (2024) · cites this paper as [23]
Section 2, “BDNF and Neuroplasticity” (page unavailable), describes BDNF’s roles in protein-synthesis-dependent LTP and neurogenesis. Neither that section nor the retrieved exercise passages establish that BDNF enhances lipolysis during recovery; the claimed implication is unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredLactate has been proven to mediate brain functional plasticity by increasing the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via several processes (e.g. synaptogenesis, neurogenesis and long-term potentiation).
“Lactate has also been proven to mediate brain functional plasticity by increasing the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via several processes (e.g. synaptogenesis, neurogenesis and long-term potentiation) [17].”
From High-intensity interval training or lactate administration combined with aerobic training enhances visceral fat loss while promoting VMH neuroplasticity in female rats (2024) · cites this paper as [17]
Section 2 (page not provided) says BDNF contributes to neuroplasticity through long-term potentiation, neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Section 4 reports increased BDNF levels after lactate infusion, but treats lactate-driven BDNF expression as a potential mechanism, not a proven route by which lactate mediates brain plasticity. (LLM, conf=0.89)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBDNF could mediate long-term potentiation (LTP) by protein synthesis and neurogenic effects.
“BDNF could mediate long-term potentiation (LTP) by protein synthesis and neurogenic effects [23]”
From High-intensity interval training or lactate administration combined with aerobic training enhances visceral fat loss while promoting VMH neuroplasticity in female rats (2024) · cites this paper as [23]
Section 2, “BDNF and Neuroplasticity,” says BDNF contributes to protein-synthesis-dependent, long-lasting LTP. It also says BDNF promotes neurogenesis on a longer time scale, but describes that as shaping memory engrams, not as a means of mediating LTP. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBDNF is the most abundant neurotrophic factor in the brain, mediating a variety of neuroplasticity changes.
“BDNF is the most abundant neurotrophic factor in the brain, mediating a variety of neuroplasticity changes, and the correlation between lactate and BDNF is well established [23].”
From High-intensity interval training or lactate administration combined with aerobic training enhances visceral fat loss while promoting VMH neuroplasticity in female rats (2024) · cites this paper as [23]
Section 2, “BDNF and Neuroplasticity” (page unavailable), says BDNF mediates neuroplasticity through several mechanisms and on different time scales. It does not say BDNF is the most abundant neurotrophic factor in the brain. Section 4 also reports an association between higher lactate concentrations and increased BDNF levels during exercise, supporting the citing sentence’s separate lactate–BDNF point in that context. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredHigh intensity exercise increases peripheral lactate and BDNF levels; lactate infusion at rest can increase peripheral and central BDNF levels.
“Current research has also shown that high intensity exercise increases peripheral lactate and BDNF levels; at the same time lactate infusion at rest can increase peripheral and central BDNF levels.”
From Neurotrophic Factor BDNF, Physiological Functions and Therapeutic Potential in Depression, Neurodegeneration and Brain Cancer (2020) · cites this paper as [239]
Section 4 reports that lactate accumulates with exercise intensity, higher blood lactate is associated with higher peripheral BDNF, and high-intensity interval training evokes larger BDNF increases. It also reports that lactate infusion at rest increased serum BDNF, but the body-text passage does not establish an increase in central BDNF after infusion. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
The correlation between lactate and BDNF is well established.
“As the correlation between lactate and BDNF is well established [23, 24]”
BDNF mediates neuroplasticity via different mechanisms and on distinct time scales.
“It should be noted that BDNF mediates neuroplasticity via different mechanisms and on distinct time scales.”
Within hours, BDNF could enhance protein synthesis and long-term potentiation (LTP); on longer time scales, BDNF could help neurons of newborns join neuronal circuits by promoting neurogenesis.
“Within hours, BDNF could enhance protein synthesis and long-term potentiation (LTP), and on longer time scales, BDNF could help neurons of newborns join neuronal circuits by promoting neurogenesis [23].”
Lactate and BDNF can induce neuroplasticity.
“Lactate and BDNF can induce neuroplasticity [239].”
From Neurotrophic Factor BDNF, Physiological Functions and Therapeutic Potential in Depression, Neurodegeneration and Brain Cancer (2020) · cites this paper as [239]
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References 156 · Cited by 241
- Authors
- Müller, P., Duderstadt, Y., Lessmann, V., & Müller, N. G.
- Affiliations
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DE)
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Müller, Patrick
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2020-04-15
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1136
- ISSN
- 2077-0383 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7230639
- OpenAlex
- W3016681587
- Cited by
- 241
- References
- 156
- Citations by year
- 2026: 41 · 2025: 56 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 12
- FWCI
- 3.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- dx.doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- DZNE Pub (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Digitalen Hochschulbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt (Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt) (cc-by)
- Funders
- EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (643417)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Nerve injury and regeneration
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Keywords
- lactate, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, exercise-induced neuroplasticity, neuroplasticity, neurotrophins, lactate infusion, high-intensity exercise, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, long-term potentiation, neurodegenerative diseases, dementia risk
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