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Zarza-Rebollo JA, López-Isac E, Rivera M, Gómez-Hernández L, Pérez-Gutiérrez AM, Molina E. The relationship between BDNF and physical activity on depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111033. [PMID: 38788892 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of disease burden and disability worldwide. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) seems to have an important role in the molecular mechanisms underlying MDD aetiology, given its implication in regulating neuronal plasticity. There is evidence that physical activity (PA) improves depressive symptoms, with a key role of BDNF in this effect. We aim to perform a systematic review examining the relationship between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and the BDNF protein, PA and MDD. METHODS Both observational and experimental design original articles or systematic reviews were selected, according to the PRISMA statement. RESULTS Six studies evaluated the Val66Met polymorphism, suggesting a greater impact of physical activity on depression depending on the Val66Met genotype. More discordant findings were observed among the 13 studies assessing BDNF levels with acute or chronic exercise interventions, mainly due to the high heterogeneity found among intervention designs, limited sample size, and potential bias. CONCLUSIONS Overall, there is cumulative evidence supporting the potential role of BDNF in the interaction between PA and MDD. However, this review highlights the need for further research with more homogeneous and standardised criteria, and pinpoints important confounding factors that must be considered in future studies to provide robust conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Antonio Zarza-Rebollo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Elena López-Isac
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Margarita Rivera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Laura Gómez-Hernández
- Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana M Pérez-Gutiérrez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Esther Molina
- Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18071 Granada, Spain; Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Jiang N, Wang H, Li C, Zeng G, Lv J, Wang Q, Chen Y, Liu X. The antidepressant-like effects of the water extract of Panax ginseng and Polygala tenuifolia are mediated via the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 267:113625. [PMID: 33248184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE The water extract of Panax ginseng (GT) and Polygala tenuifolia (YT), the main constituents of the commonly used kai-xin-san formula of traditional Chinese medicine, represents SY. It possesses strong neuroprotective effects. Using behavioural tests, we have previously established that the SY formulation exerts superior antidepressant activity than that of GT or YT. AIM To elucidate the impact of SY treatment on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive-like behaviours and the prospective mechanism related to hippocampal neurogenesis and the BDNF signaling pathway. METHODS We exposed Sprague-Dawley rats (male; 180-200 g) to CUMS for 35 days. The rats in the experimental treatment groups were daily treated with either fluoxetine (10 mg kg-1d-1) or SY (67.5, 135, or 270 mg kg-1d-1) orally until the behavioural tests (tail suspension test [TST], novelty-suppressed feeding test [NSFT], sucrose preference test [SPT], and forced swim test [FST]) were completed. We assessed the modifications in the hippocampal neurogenesis and the BDNF signaling pathway post-treatment with CUMS and SY. Additionally, K252a, a tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor, was utilized to evaluate the antidepressant mechanisms of SY. RESULT s: The results of SPT, NSFT, FST, and TST in CUMS-exposed rats confirmed the antidepressant actions of SY. Additionally, SY treatment induced the BDNF signaling pathway and reversed the hippocampal neurogenesis caused by CUMS. Moreover, we found that the TrkB antagonist K252a blocked SY effects on behavioural improvement, inhibited the incremental effects of SY on hippocampal neurogenesis, and eliminated the impact of SY on BDNF-TrkB signaling activation. Thus, the impact of SY treatment on BDNF signaling molecules (pAkt, pERK1/2, and pCREB) were significantly inhibited by K252a. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that SY acted as an antidepressant in rats exhibiting CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviours, and was facilitated by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis and the BDNF signaling pathway activation. Thus, SY could act as a potential novel supplement or adjuvant to prevent or treat clinical depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jiang
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Haixia Wang
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chenchen Li
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Guirong Zeng
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwei Lv
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Affiliated TCM Hospital/School of Pharmacy/Sino-Portugal TCM International Cooperation Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Yin Chen
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medical, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xinmin Liu
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Lippi G, Mattiuzzi C, Sanchis-Gomar F. Updated overview on interplay between physical exercise, neurotrophins, and cognitive function in humans. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2020; 9:74-81. [PMID: 31921482 PMCID: PMC6943756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The many important benefits of physical exercise also encompass maintenance or improvement of cognitive functions. Among the various mechanisms underlying the association between physical exercise and brain health, recent evidence attests that neurotrophin receptor signaling may have an important role, because the activation of this pathway leads to growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses, supports axonal and dendritic growth, fosters synaptic plasticity, and preserves survival of existing neurons. In this review of published evidence, we highlight that a positive relationship exists between physical exercise and circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and that the postexercise variation of this molecule is associated with improvement of neurocognitive functioning. Less clear evidence has instead been published for other neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4. Overall, promotion of adequate volumes and intensities of physical exercise (i.e., approximately 3 months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, with 2-3 sessions/week lasting not less than 30 min) may hence be regarded as an inexpensive and safe strategy for boosting brain-derived neurotrophic factor release, thus preserving or restoring cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Camilla Mattiuzzi
- Service of Clinical Governance, Provincial Agency for Social and Sanitary Services, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Fabian Sanchis-Gomar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia and INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia 46010, Spain
- Corresponding author.
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Cullen KR, Padilla LE, Papke VN, Klimes-Dougan B. New Somatic Treatments for Child and Adolescent Depression. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN PSYCHIATRY 2019; 6:380-400. [PMID: 33312841 PMCID: PMC7732147 DOI: 10.1007/s40501-019-00194-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Depression is a common clinical problem in youth, with prevalence increasing significantly during the adolescent period. Although several evidence-based treatments are currently available for treating depression in adults, only a subset of these have been investigated in a pediatric sample. Unfortunately, even well-established, first-line interventions do not lead to sufficient treatment response for many children and adolescents suffering from depression. However, recent research has been conducted in the area of somatic treatments for youth with depression. This review focuses on current (past three years, including published results and ongoing studies) research on somatic treatments for adolescent depression in the following categories: psychopharmacology, nutraceuticals, interventions implicating motor and sensory systems, and neuromodulation. FINDINGS Results from recent randomized, controlled trials testing psychopharmacological options suggest that while antidepressants that have been recently approved for adult patients are safe and tolerable in children and adolescents, none have yet outperformed performed placebo in efficacy. Nutraceuticals, motor-sensory interventions, and neuromodulation techniques, present safe and promising results, but few have been tested against controls to support effectiveness over current treatment options. SUMMARY This review of research on pediatric depression treatment from the past 3 years highlights some disappointments (negative results following some of the well-designed clinical trials) and gaps (preliminary studies in need of follow up with robust methodology) but also some promising directions in research of the efficacyof these treatments in a pediatric sample. We offer suggestions for future research including consideration of treatment timing, sequencing, the role of symptom severity in directing treatment selection, the potential value of combined treatments, consideration of how to best account for high placebo response rates, and the incorporation of neurobiological assessments to examine mechanisms and biomarker predictors of treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R Cullen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, F282/2A West Building 2450, Riverside Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
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Kandola A, Ashdown-Franks G, Hendrikse J, Sabiston CM, Stubbs B. Physical activity and depression: Towards understanding the antidepressant mechanisms of physical activity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:525-539. [PMID: 31586447 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 430] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Physical activity can treat and prevent depressive symptoms, but its antidepressant mechanisms are yet to be established. In this review, we comprehensively assess key biological and psychosocial mechanisms through which physical activity exerts antidepressant effects, with a particular focus on exercise. Exercise, a subset of physical activity, influences a range of biological and psychosocial processes also implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. We focus on the capacity for exercise to elicit changes in neuroplasticity, inflammation, oxidative stress, the endocrine system, self-esteem, social support and self-efficacy. We also discuss how a better understanding of these mechanisms can inform the way we design and implement exercise-based interventions to maximise their antidepressant effects on an individual basis. We conclude by presenting a conceptual framework of the key biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms, and the moderators and confounders that may influence it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Kandola
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Garcia Ashdown-Franks
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua Hendrikse
- Brain, Mind and Society Research Hub, School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Brendon Stubbs
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley National Health Services Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Porras-Segovia A, Rivera M, Molina E, López-Chaves D, Gutiérrez B, Cervilla J. Physical exercise and body mass index as correlates of major depressive disorder in community-dwelling adults: Results from the PISMA-ep study. J Affect Disord 2019; 251:263-269. [PMID: 30951984 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent and disabling mental disorders. Sedentarism and obesity are recognized risk factors for MDD. Physical exercise has shown beneficial effects on mental health and there is an increasing awareness of its potential as a therapeutic and preventive tool for depression. No epidemiological studies have explored the role of physical activity and obesity as potential correlates of MDD in the Spanish population. The aim of this study was to explore whether MDD was associated with two strongly linked variables: physical exercise and body mass index. METHODS The PISMA-ep is a cross-sectional community-based study carried out in Andalusia, southern Spain. Main outcome was current prevalence of MDD, measured through face-to-face interviews using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Independent variables explored were physical exercise and its intensity, Body Mass Index (BMI), BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity), hip and waist circumferences, general health status measured with the SF12 questionnaire, and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS Physical exercise was inversely associated with MDD, acting as a protective factor. Higher intensity of exercise strengthened this association. Four variables were independently associated with MDD in the multivariate association model: female sex, physical exercise, general health status and BMI. CONCLUSION MDD was associated with poorer health status, higher BMI and reduced physical activity. Physical exercise should be considered as a potential intervention for the treatment and prevention of MDD in clinical and public health settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Porras-Segovia
- School for International Postgraduate Studies, University of Granada, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Jimenez Diaz Foundation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Rivera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Esther Molina
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Blanca Gutiérrez
- Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, University of Granada, Spain
| | - Jorge Cervilla
- Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, University of Granada, Spain; Mental Health Service, University Hospital San Cecilio, Granada, Spain
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