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Exercise-Induced BDNF Responses in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Across Age Groups

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— 1 min read

Research published in the Journal of Thermal Biology has investigated the relationship between exercise and heat-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) across age groups. The study found that exercise increases BDNF content in PBMCs, independent of intensity, in males, and that heat exposure attenuates BDNF elevations. Additionally, the research showed that older males exhibit greater BDNF increases than young males at 40% of peak oxygen consumption (VO), and that heat exposure attenuates BDNF responses across groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study assessed exercise-intensity dependent BDNF responses in PBMCs from 10 young and 10 older males following 30 minutes of cycling at 40%, 55%, and 70% of peak oxygen consumption (VO) in a temperate environment.
  • BDNF content in PBMCs increased by 35% following exercise in the temperate environment and remained elevated for 6 hours, regardless of exercise intensity.
  • Older males exhibited greater increases in BDNF content than young males at 40% of VO, with BDNF increases peaking at 3 hours of recovery.
  • Heat exposure attenuated BDNF elevations by 15% across groups, with a significant reduction in BDNF content at 1 hour of recovery.
  • Exercise at 70% of VO performed in the heat attenuated BDNF responses, irrespective of group.
  • The study demonstrates that exercise-induced BDNF responses in PBMCs are influenced by age and heat exposure.

Statistics:

  • 35% increase in BDNF content in PBMCs following exercise in the temperate environment
  • 15% attenuation of BDNF elevations by heat exposure across groups
  • 40% peak oxygen consumption (VO) exhibited greater BDNF increases in older males
  • 6 hours of recovery with sustained elevation of BDNF content
  • 70% of VO exhibited reduced BDNF responses in heat-exposed individuals
  • 20 participants in each age group (young and older) in Study 2

Sources:

  • Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy adults following acute aerobic exercise and a 6-hour recovery in temperate and hot environments. Journal of Thermal Biology, 2025;133:104293.
  • Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Journal of Thermal Biology - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-thermal-biology/)
  • University of Ottawa, Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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