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. 2011 Aug;25(6):1264-71.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2011.04.017. Epub 2011 Apr 30.

Brain derived neurotrophic factor, cardiopulmonary fitness and cognition in patients with coronary artery disease

W Swardfager  1 , N Herrmann, S Marzolini, M Saleem, P Shammi, P I Oh, P R Albert, M Daigle, A Kiss, K L Lanctôt
Affiliations

Brain derived neurotrophic factor, cardiopulmonary fitness and cognition in patients with coronary artery disease

W Swardfager et al. Brain Behav Immun. 2011 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To assess serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations as a correlate of cardiopulmonary fitness and as a predictor of cognitive performance in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Serum BDNF concentrations were assayed by ELISA and fitness was assessed using a standardized exercise stress test. The Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), California Verbal Learning Test 2nd Ed., Stroop, Trail Making Test B and the Digit Symbol-Coding task were administered. The val66met BDNF genotype and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations were determined as potential confounders.

Results: In subjects with CAD (n=88; 85.2% male, mean age 62.8±10.5 yr), cardiopulmonary fitness was associated with higher serum BDNF concentrations (β=.305, p=.013). Higher serum BDNF concentrations were associated with higher MMSE scores (F(1,87)=15.406, p<.0005) and better performance on the Digit Symbol-Coding task (F(1,87)=9.620, p=.003). IL-6, TNF-α and the val66met genotype did not influence these results.

Conclusion: Serum BDNF concentrations were associated with cardiopulmonary fitness, psychomotor processing speed and overall cognition in subjects with CAD.

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Conflict of interest statement

5. Conflict of Interest Statement

WS is supported by an Alzheimer Society of Canada doctoral award.

NH receives research funding from Sonexa Therapeutics Inc. and Lundbeck Canada Inc., and holds grants from the National Institute of Health, the Ontario Mental Health Foundation, the Canadian Institute of Health Research, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Physicians’ Services Incorporated Foundation. NH received speaker’s honoraria from Lundbeck, Pfizer, Janssen Ortho and Novartis

SM reports no disclosures.

MS reports no disclosures.

PS reports no disclosures.

PIO sits on the steering committee for clinical trial sponsored by Pfizer.

PRA reports no disclosures.

MD reports no disclosures.

AK reports no disclosures.

KLL is the executive director of the Medical Outcomes and Research in Economics (MORE) Research group, received research funding from Abbott Laboratories, Sonexa Therapeutics Inc., Workers Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and Lundbeck Canada, is funded by grants from the National Institute of Health, Canadian Institute of Health Research, the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, the Ontario Mental Health Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Physician’s Services Incorporated Foundation.

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