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Effects Of Aerobic And Resistance Exercise On Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor And Cognitive Benefits In Alzheimer’S Disease, Stephanie Cullen

2017 Undergraduate Awards

Cognitive function below age-matched controls is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor is a biochemical molecule that mediates neuronal survival, but its expression is reduced in Alzheimer’s disease, causing neurodegeneration. Exercise has been shown to increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, which mediates improvements in cognition in Alzheimer’s patients and slows cognitive decline. Evidence is presented to show that aerobic exercise is well known to increase serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, while resistance training studies have not yet shown a conclusive effect. Increased Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor from aerobic exercise has been shown to mediate improvements in hippocampal volume and executive function. …