An investigation into the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, cognition and BDNF in young healthy males.
Neurosci Lett 2019;
704:126-132. [PMID:
30862494 DOI:
10.1016/j.neulet.2019.03.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Recent investigations demonstrate that cardiorespiratory fitness may benefit brain health and plasticity with concurrent enhancements in cognitive performance; possibly via a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-regulated mechanism. While a number of studies have demonstrated an increase in BDNF concentration post exercise the relationship between BDNF, cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function requires further investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The present cross-sectional study assessed the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), cognitive performance and circulating BDNF concentration.
METHODS
Thirty-nine healthy male volunteers (mean age 21.7 ± 0.5 years) participated. Cognitive performance was measured by reaction time on a standard detection task and accuracy in a n-back and Continuous Paired Associative Learning (CPAL) task. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a standardised graded exercise test. Plasma and serum BDNF concentrations were assayed by ELISA.
RESULTS
A significant negative correlation between VO2max and reaction time was demonstrated (p < 0.05). However VO2max was not associated with circulating BDNF concentration, or performance in the n-back and CPAL tasks (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced psychomotor speed was associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness. In contrast to previous research no significant association between cardiorespiratory fitness and BDNF concentration was observed.
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