Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in human cerebrospinal fluid is elevated after exercise

Journal of Neurophysiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Jay M. J. R. Carr, Jodie L. Koep, Jennifer S. Duffy, L. Madden Brewster, Jordan D. Bird, Justin A. Monteleone, Tenasia D. R. Monaghan, Hashim Islam, Andrew R Steele, Connor A. Howe, David B. MacLeod, Philip Neil Ainslie
+2 more Kate Nicole Thomas, Travis Dylan Gibbons
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00068.2026
Cited by: 1
References: 35

Abstract

Across species, acute exercise increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor in circulation and so is considered a therapeutic strategy to improve brain health. We coupled arterial and jugular venous cannulation with concurrent cerebrospinal fluid measurement via lumbar puncture, to measure the cerebral exchange of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, before and after participants cycled for ∼2 h. The current data demonstrate that brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the cerebrospinal fluid is elevated following exercise.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Nerve injury and regeneration Spinal Cord Injury Research Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Neurophysiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
136
Issue
1
Pages
294–300
Publication date
11 June 2026
Language
EN