Exercise-induced time-dependent changes in plasma BDNF levels in people with schizophrenia

Laira Fuhr, Caroline Lavratti, Ivy Reichert Vital da Silva, Gustavo Pereira Reinaldo, Nathan Ono de Carvalho, Jordana Lectzow de Oliveira, Luciane Carniel Wagner, Jerri Ribeiro and Viviane Rostirola Elsner*

Objective: To investigate the short and long-term outcomes of a concurrent exercise protocol

(CEP) on plasma Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and the effect of this intervention in

the self-esteem and mental health in people with schizophrenia (SZ).

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 15 participants underwent a structured, supervised

and group based CEP for 12 weeks (the sessions were performed 3 times a week for 60 minutes). In

order to verify the short- and long-term effects of exercise on BDNF levels, blood samples of 15 ml were

collected pre-intervention and on the 4th, 8th and 12th week(s) after intervention started. To evaluate

self-esteem, the Rosemberg Self-esteem Scale was used, and the general mental health status was

measured through the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Both questionnaires were applied

before and after intervention.

Results: BDNF plasma levels increased signifi cantly at the 12 th week(s) when compared to

baseline and in 4 weeks periods. There were no observed changes on self-esteem neither a trend of

improvement in the GHQ at the post-intervention phase when compared to the baseline. Finally, the

CEP reduced signifi cantly anthropometric variables.

Conclusion: The CEP induced time-dependent modulation on BDNF levels in individuals with SZ,

increasing its levels only in a long-term period.

Keywords:

Published on: Jan 18, 2018 Pages: 1-6

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000056
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