Relationships between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration and parameters for health scores in community-dwelling older adults

AIM: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been implicated in the progression of neuronal survival, phenotyping differentiation and maintenance of various neurons, as well as neurogenesis. We studied how BDNF affects health parameters of older adults by carrying out a health examination of community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: We measured the serum BDNF concentration of 898 older adults aged 65-84 years who participated in regional health examinations in the Tokyo area and also measured various parameters, such as the thickness of the quadriceps femoris, percentage of body fat, body mass index, grip strength, frequency of walking, and use of sleeping drugs and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. RESULTS: We obtained significant relationships between serum BDNF values and thickness of the quadriceps muscle, body mass index or percentage of body fat. Individuals holding onto something when they stood up had lower serum BDNF values than individuals not holding onto something when they stood up. Smokers had higher serum BDNF values than non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults who had higher serum BDNF had bigger quadriceps muscles, higher body mass index and higher body fat rate, and were also able to stand up without holding onto something from a sitting position. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 456-461.