Supplementary file 1_Serum BDNF in subacute stroke: effects of a four-week aerobic exercise intervention in the PHYS-STROKE trial.docx

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is one candidate mediator of post-stroke plasticity, but it remains unclear whether clinically feasible aerobic exercise induces sustained increases in circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor after stroke.</p>Methods<p>We performed a pre-specified secondary biomarker analysis of the multicentre, randomized, endpoint-blinded Physical Fitness Training in Patients with Subacute Stroke trial.

Participants were randomized to 4 weeks of moderate-intensity treadmill-based aerobic training or relaxation therapy. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor was assessed from baseline to 6 months post-stroke. Models were adjusted for baseline brain-derived neurotrophic factor, age, sex, stroke severity, platelet count, depressive symptoms, smoking status, and study center.</p>Results<p>Among 200 randomized participants, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor increased modestly from baseline to 3 months and remained stable thereafter.