Walking speed decline in older adults is associated with elevated pro-BDNF in plasma extracellular vesicles.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is produced by cleavage of proBDNF, and BDNF and proBDNF may play antagonistic roles in nervous system development, learning, memory and neuronal stress resistance. BDNF and proBDNF are present in blood, but the origin and relative contributions of soluble and extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated levels are unknown.

Methods

In this study we used validated immunoassays to measure proBDNF and BDNF levels in plasma, total plasma EVs and a subpopulation of EVs enriched for neuronal origin (expressing the neuronal marker L1CAM) in 150 Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participants with and without decline in walking speed (reflecting aging-associated motor decline).

Results

Levels of BDNF and proBDNF were highest in

SUBMITTER: Suire CN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5642035 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature