The relationship between physical activity, clinical and cognitive characteristics and BDNF mRNA levels in patients with severe mental disorders

Abstract

Background: Here we aimed to clarify the association of physical activity with cognitive function and current mood in severe mental disorders in the most extensive sample to date. Secondly, we aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and BDNF mRNA levels.

Methods: Three hundred and six patients with a DSM-IV schizophrenia (SZ) or bipolar disorder (BD) spectrum diagnosis were included. Clinical characteristics were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Depressive symptomatology was measured using the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (IDS-C) and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). All patients underwent neuropsychological assessment. Physical activity was measured as hours spent on any regular physical activity (≥ or ˂90 min) per week. BDNF mRNA was measured in plasma using standardised procedures.

Results: Patients with ≥90 min of physical activity per week had fewer depressive symptoms (P ˂0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.48) and performed significantly better on working memory (P ˂ 0.001, d = 0.44) and executive functioning tasks (P ˂ 0.001, d = 0.50) compared to the ˂90-min group. BDNF mRNA was positively associated with physical activity (P = 0.046) and cognitive functioning (P = 0.037).

Conclusions: Our study suggests a positive association between self-reported physical activity, cognitive function, mood and BDNF mRNA levels in severe mental disorders.

Keywords:

• Schizophrenia
• bipolar disorder
• physical activity
• childhood trauma
• cognitive function

Acknowledgements

We thank the patients who took part in the study as well as NORMENT, which contributed to the data collection. Specific thanks to T B for excellent help in organising the database.

Statement of interest

None to declare. All Authors have approved the final article. O.A Andreassen disclose receiving a Speakers honorarium from Lundbeck.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by grants from the University of Oslo, South-Eastern Norway Health Authority (#2013088, #2017060), the Research Council of Norway (#223273, #248778, #248980), and the KG Jebsen Foundation. This study was also funded by the NARSAD Young Investigator Award (#22388), and the Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (SCNP) Young Scientist grant to Monica Aas.