Graduation Date
Spring 2018
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology, option Academic Research
Committee Chair Name
Ethan Gahtan
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Carrie Aigner
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Justus Ortega
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Fourth Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
BDNF, Neurogenesis, Physical exercise, Variability, BDNF gene, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Brain
Subject Categories
Psychology
Abstract
Brain health, and the benefits of exercise have been linked to the biological signaling molecule called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Animal and human studies have provided some support for physical exercise as a mechanism for increasing BDNF levels. However, results have been inconsistent, which may be attributed in part to incomplete information about normal variation in circulating peripheral BDNF levels. This investigation examined capillary-drawn whole blood samples from nine healthy adult participants over 30 days with the goal of documenting variability in resting BDNF levels and changes that may be attributed to physical exercise. It was hypothesized that BDNF concentrations would stay relatively consistent (overall coefficient of variance not exceeding 15%) and that physical exercise within 12 hours of blood sampling would increase BDNF levels. In contrast to these expectations, the current study showed high within-subject variability in resting BDNF levels across 30 days, and no association between recent physical exercise and BDNF levels. However, having a variability quantification is equally important for future methodology designs. While it remains unclear if there are valid cognitive benefits link to BDNF, understanding human BDNF variability can be of general utility as a benchmark for designing and interpreting future BDNF-related studies.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Hang, Sally, "Assessment of peripheral BDNF levels over 30 days" (2018). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 115.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/115