Physical activity increases mRNA for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in rat brain

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 726; no. 1; pp. 49 - 56
• Main Authors: Neeper, Shawne A., Gómez-Pinilla, Fernando, Choi, James, Cotman, Carl W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 08.07.1996; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Biochemistry and metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - metabolism; Brain plasticity; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - genetics; Central nervous system; Environmental stimulus; Exercise; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene expression; Male; Motor Activity - physiology; Nerve Growth Factors - genetics; Neural activity; Neurotrophin; Physical activity; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Neurotrophin; Brain plasticity; Exercise; Physical activity; Neural activity; Gene expression; Environmental stimulus; Physical exercise; Neurotrophic factor; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Rat; Rodentia; Central nervous system; Nerve growth factor; Brain derived neurotrophic factor; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(96)00273-9

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) support the viability and function of many types of neurons, and are likely mediators of activity-dependent changes in the CNS. We examined BDNF and NGF mRNA levels in several brain areas of adult male rats following 0, 2, 4, or 7 nights with ad libitum access to running wheels. BDNF mRNA was significantly increased in several brain areas, most notably in the hippocampus and caudal 13 of cerebral cortex following 2, 4, and 7 nights with exercise. Significant elevations in BDNF mRNA were localized in Ammon's horn areas 1 (CAI) and 4 (CA4) of the hippocampus, and layers II–III of the caudal neocortex and retrosplenial cortex. NGF mRNA was also significantly elevated in the hippocampus and caudal 13 of the cortex, affecting primarily the dentate gyrus granular layer (DG) and CA4 of the hippocampus and layers II–III in caudal neocortex.