Serum BDNF’s Role as a Biomarker for Motor Training in the Context of AR-Based Rehabilitation after Ischemic Stroke

• Main Authors: Ekaterina S. Koroleva, Ivan V. Tolmachev, Valentina M. Alifirova, Anastasiia S. Boiko, Lyudmila A. Levchuk, Anton J. M. Loonen, Svetlana A. Ivanova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Brain Sciences
• Subjects: BDNF; ischemic stroke; rehabilitation; augmented reality (AR)-biofeedback motion training; long-term potentiation; functional rewiring
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/10/9/623

Background: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play a role during neurorehabilitation following ischemic stroke. This study aimed to elucidate the possible role of BDNF during early recovery from ischemic stroke assisted by motor training. Methods: fifty patients were included after acute recovery from ischemic stroke: 21 first received classical rehabilitation followed by ‘motor rehabilitation using motion sensors and augmented reality’ (AR-rehabilitation), 14 only received AR-rehabilitation, and 15 were only observed. Serum BDNF levels were measured on the first day of stroke, on the 14th day, before AR-based rehabilitation (median, 45th day), and after the AR-based rehabilitation (median, 82nd day). Motor impairment was quantified clinically using the Fugl–Meyer scale (FMA); functional disability and activities of daily living (ADL) were measured using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). For comparison, serum BDNF was measured in 50 healthy individuals. Results: BDNF levels were found to significantly increase during the phase with AR-based rehabilitation. The pattern of the sequentially measured BDNF levels was similar in the treated patients. Untreated patients had significantly lower BDNF levels at the endpoint. Conclusions: the fluctuations of BDNF levels are not consistently related to motor improvement but seem to react to active treatment. Without active rehabilitation treatment, BDNF tends to decrease.