title: Neurotrophins and cognitive functions in T1D compared with healthy controls: effects of a high-intensity exercise.
abstract: Exercise is known to have beneficial effects on cognitive function. This effect is greatly favored by an exercise-induced increase in neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), especially with high-intensity exercises (HIE). As a complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D), a cognitive decline may occur, mostly ascribed to hypoglycaemia and chronic hyperglycaemia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute HIE on cognitive function and neurotrophins in T1D and matched controls. Ten trained T1D (8 males, 2 females) participants and their matched (by age, sex, fitness level) controls were evaluated on 2 occasions after familiarization: a maximal test to exhaustion and an HIE bout (10 intervals of 60 s at 90% of their maximal wattage followed by 60 s at 50 W). Cognitive tests and analyses of serum BDNF, IGF-1, and free insulin were performed before and after HIE and following 30 min of recovery. At baseline, cognitive performance was better in the controls compared with the T1D participants (p < 0.05). After exercise, no significant differences in cognitive performance were detected. BDNF levels were significantly higher and IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in T1D compared with the control group (p < 0.05) at all time points. Exercise increased BDNF and IGF-1 levels in a comparable percentage in both groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, although resting levels of serum BDNF and IGF-1 were altered by T1D, comparable increasing effects on BDNF and IGF-1 in T1D and healthy participants were found. Therefore, regularly repeating acute HIE could be a promising strategy for brain health in T1D.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2 - B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Cajsa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tonoli
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heyman
authors.forename: Luk
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buyse
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roelands
authors.forename: Maria Francesca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Piacentini
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pattyn
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berthoin
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meeusen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling; D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D055495:Neurogenesis; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C583557:IGF1 protein, human; D007328:Insulin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; C579455:BDNF protein, human
keywords: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; cognition; diabetes; diabète; facteur de croissance insulinomimétique de type 1; facteur neurotrophique dérivé du cerveau; free insulin; insulin-like growth factor-1; insuline libre