Exploring Salivary Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a Potential Biomarker of Neuroplasticity in Older Adults Through Exergaming

With your need for BDNF for better stroke recovery, your competent? doctor already has EXACT REHAB PROTOCOLS FOR THAT! NO? So, you DON'T have a functioning stroke doctor, do you? Only 14 years to completely prove incompetence!

And board of director incompetence also!

• BDNF (185 posts to April 2011)

 Exploring Salivary Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a Potential Biomarker of Neuroplasticity in Older Adults Through Exergaming 

 Sarah C. Pistritto , Amer M. Burhan , Mary Chiu , Sara Elgazzar , Pritika Lally , Winnie Sun 5 1 

 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, CAN 

2. Department of Psychiatry, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, CAN 

3. Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, CAN 

4. Department of Research and Academics, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, CAN 

5. Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, CAN 

 Corresponding author: Sarah C. Pistritto, sarahpistritto15@gmail.com 

 Abstract 

 Background 

 

Dementia and late-life depression (LLD) are common among older adults and are often associated with cognitive decline. Exergaming, which integrates physical and cognitive stimulation, may promote neuroplasticity in this population. Noninvasive biomarkers, such as salivary brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) methylation, provide a novel approach for monitoring intervention-related neuroplastic changes. 

 Objective 

 This pilot study examined the feasibility of a four-week exergaming intervention aimed at promoting both cognitive and physical engagement in older adults with dementia or LLD. The study also assessed changes in salivary BDNF DNA methylation, a biomarker of neuroplasticity, using noninvasive collection and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) analysis. 

 Results 

 Participants engaged meaningfully in the exergame, and cognitive metrics showed improved performance across sessions. BDNF methylation was detectable in saliva samples, confirming feasibility; however, the small sample size and limited statistical power precluded significant findings. No causal conclusions can be drawn. (Didn't power the research strong enough, did you?)

 Conclusions 

 This study demonstrates that exergaming, combined with saliva collection and ddPCR, is both feasible and acceptable for older adults with cognitive impairment or depression. The intervention design was informed by theoretical frameworks of neuroplasticity, motor learning, and task-specific training. Larger controlled studies are warranted to evaluate clinical efficacy, expand BDNF analyses, and further investigate underlying neuroplastic mechanisms. Categories: Psychiatry, Geriatrics, Genetics Keywords: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf), dna methylation, droplet digital pcr (ddpcr), exergaming, feasibility, late-life depression, persons with dementia, saliva collection Introduction Dementia and late-life depression (LLD) are two highly prevalent conditions that affect cognitive function, emotional well-being, and quality of life in older adults. Dementia is characterized by significant cognitive decline across domains such as memory, language, attention, and executive function, which interferes with daily life [1]. LLD refers to a major depressive disorder occurring for the first time in individuals aged 60 or older. It shares overlapping neurobiological and clinical features with dementia, making differentiation difficult, as depression can both precede and coexist with cognitive decline, thereby increasing the risk of developing dementia [2]. As the aging population continues to grow, there is an urgent need for accessible, evidence-based, nonpharmacological interventions that can support brain health and mitigate functional decline in these populations [3]. Neuroplasticity is a fundamental mechanism supporting cognitive processes such as memory and learning [4]. However, accurately assessing, monitoring, and quantifying neuroplastic changes remains a challenge [5,6]. Physical activity (PA) and cognitive stimulation (CS) are well-established nonpharmacological How to cite this article Pistritto S C, Burhan A M, Chiu M, et al. (September 26, 2025) Exploring Salivary Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a Potential Biomarker of Neuroplasticity in Older Adults Through Exergaming. Cureus 17(9): e93280. DOI 1