TY - JOUR
T1 - Intensive rehabilitation increases BDNF serum levels in parkinsonian patients
T2 - A randomized study
AU - Frazzitta, Giuseppe
AU - Maestri, Roberto
AU - Ghilardi, Maria Felice
AU - Riboldazzi, Giulio
AU - Perini, Michele
AU - Bertotti, Gabriella
AU - Boveri, Natalia
AU - Buttini, Sara
AU - Lombino, Franco Luis
AU - Uccellini, Davide
AU - Turla, Marinella
AU - Pezzoli, Gianni
AU - Comi, Cristoforo
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Background. Exercise may decrease the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans and reduce PD symptoms in animal models. The beneficial effects have been linked to increased levels of neurotrophic factors. Objective. We examined whether intensive rehabilitation treatment reduces motor disability in patients in the early stages of PD and increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels. Methods. Thirty participants in the early stages of PD treated with rasagiline were randomly assigned to 3 hours of rehabilitation treatment that included aerobic exercise for 28 days (Group 1) or to not therapy (control; Group 2). BDNF serum levels were assessed at time T0 (baseline, before treatment), T1 (10 days), T2 (20 days), and T3 (28 days). At T0 and T3, we assessed the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III in both groups, as well as the UPDRS II and total, Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test only in Group 1. Results. BDNF levels significantly increased at T1 in Group 1, an increase that was maintained throughout the treatment period. At T3 compared to T0, UPDRS III scores significantly improved in Group 1 along with scores for UPDRS II, total, Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test. Conclusions. Intensive rehabilitation treatment increases the BDNF levels and improves PD signs in patients in the early stages of the disease. These results are in line with studies on animal models of PD and healthy subjects.
AB - Background. Exercise may decrease the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans and reduce PD symptoms in animal models. The beneficial effects have been linked to increased levels of neurotrophic factors. Objective. We examined whether intensive rehabilitation treatment reduces motor disability in patients in the early stages of PD and increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels. Methods. Thirty participants in the early stages of PD treated with rasagiline were randomly assigned to 3 hours of rehabilitation treatment that included aerobic exercise for 28 days (Group 1) or to not therapy (control; Group 2). BDNF serum levels were assessed at time T0 (baseline, before treatment), T1 (10 days), T2 (20 days), and T3 (28 days). At T0 and T3, we assessed the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III in both groups, as well as the UPDRS II and total, Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test only in Group 1. Results. BDNF levels significantly increased at T1 in Group 1, an increase that was maintained throughout the treatment period. At T3 compared to T0, UPDRS III scores significantly improved in Group 1 along with scores for UPDRS II, total, Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test. Conclusions. Intensive rehabilitation treatment increases the BDNF levels and improves PD signs in patients in the early stages of the disease. These results are in line with studies on animal models of PD and healthy subjects.
KW - BDNF
KW - neuroplasticity
KW - Parkinson's disease
KW - rehabilitation
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U2 - 10.1177/1545968313508474
DO - 10.1177/1545968313508474
M3 - Article
C2 - 24213955
AN - SCOPUS:84892720670
VL - 28
SP - 163
EP - 168
JO - Journal of Neurologic Rehabilitation
JF - Journal of Neurologic Rehabilitation
SN - 1545-9683
IS - 2
ER -