Effect of cognitive training on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in lymphocytes of mild cognitive impairment patients.

To identify biomarkers associated with cognitive stimulation of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, we performed quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in peripheral lymphocytes of MCI and healthy subjects undergoing a multi-component cognitive training (CT) program. CT determined a significant decrease of BDNF mRNA levels in MCI (fold change=0.31) as compared to healthy subjects (fold change=0.86). It has been reported that in MCI there is an increase of BDNF serum levels, and our findings could indicate a positive effect of CT in restoring pre-disease levels of expression.