title: Intensive rehabilitation increases BDNF serum levels in parkinsonian patients: a randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exercise may decrease the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans and reduce PD symptoms in animal models. The beneficial effects have been linked to increased levels of neurotrophic factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether intensive rehabilitation treatment reduces motor disability in patients in the early stages of PD and increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty participants in the early stages of PD treated with rasagiline were randomly assigned to 3 hours of rehabilitation treatment that included aerobic exercise for 28 days (Group 1) or to not therapy (control; Group 2). BDNF serum levels were assessed at time T0 (baseline, before treatment), T1 (10 days), T2 (20 days), and T3 (28 days). At T0 and T3, we assessed the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III in both groups, as well as the UPDRS II and total, Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test only in Group 1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BDNF levels significantly increased at T1 in Group 1, an increase that was maintained throughout the treatment period. At T3 compared to T0, UPDRS III scores significantly improved in Group 1 along with scores for UPDRS II, total, Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intensive rehabilitation treatment increases the BDNF levels and improves PD signs in patients in the early stages of the disease. These results are in line with studies on animal models of PD and healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: 1"Moriggia-Pelascini" Hospital, Gravedona ed Uniti, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frazzitta
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maestri
authors.forename: Maria Felice
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ghilardi
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riboldazzi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perini
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertotti
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boveri
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buttini
authors.forename: Franco Luis
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Lombino
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Uccellini
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turla
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pezzoli
authors.forename: Cristoforo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Comi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000534:rehabilitation*
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
keywords: BDNF; Parkinson’s disease; neuroplasticity; rehabilitation