Exercise Intensity and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: Implications for Mental Health and Neurodegenerative Disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.3991Keywords:
BDNF, Exercise, Mental Health, Neurodegenerative Disease, Brain, Cognitive functionAbstract
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor that helps support neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, neural growth, and neuronal survival within the brain. It plays a critical role in cognitive functions and brain health and has become an important target for research on the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders. One of the strategies used to increase BDNF without pharmacological treatment is exercise; however the rise in BDNF levels can vary depending on the intensity of the exercise. The purpose of this literature review is: 1) to determine which exercise intensity is the most effective at increasing BDNF while minimizing adverse effects, and 2) to examine how exercise-induced changes in BDNF may influence mental health and neurodegenerative disease. This literature review proposes that moderate-to-high intensity exercise is the most effective for increasing BDNF levels, with high-intensity exercise producing the largest immediate BDNF increase following a single exercise session and moderate-intensity exercise providing more sustainable long-term benefits. However, because of the risk of fatigue and injury associated with high-intensity exercise, pairing it with moderate-intensity exercise provides a more sustainable balance of long term benefits. By promoting neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, exercise-induced BDNF increases may be able to produce neurobiological effects on mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases similar to medications like antidepressants. However, factors such as sleep, diet, genetics, and individual fitness levels may influence BDNF responses and limit the interpretation of these studies. Reliance on proxy measurements may limit the accuracy of these studies as well. Overall, moderate-to-high intensity exercise appears to be the most effective approach for increasing BDNF and promoting brain health without pharmacological intervention and may potentially slow the progression of mental health disorders and neurodegenerative disease.
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