Faculty mentor/PI email address
bavishic1@rowan.edu
Keywords
HIIT, BDNF, neurotropic, exercise, ELISA, training
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Abstract
Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival, and cognitive function (1,2,3). High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a time-efficient exercise modality capable of inducing neurotrophic adaptations (4,5). However, the magnitude and consistency of its effects on circulating BDNF remain unclear.
Objective: This scoping review evaluated the current evidence examining the effects of HIIT on circulating BDNF levels measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in healthy young adults.
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus was conducted for randomized and controlled clinical trials published between 2020 and 2025. Studies were included if they involved healthy young adults, utilized cycling-based HIIT protocols, and measured BDNF as a primary outcome using ELISA. Studies involving pathological populations, combined interventions, or non-experimental designs were excluded. Seven studies met eligibility criteria.
Results: Across the included studies, HIIT consistently produced acute elevations in circulating BDNF immediately following exercise, particularly in sedentary individuals. These increases were typically transient, often returning to baseline within 30-90 minutes. Longer interventions (4-8 weeks) were more likely to produce sustained increases in resting BDNF concentrations, especially in previously inactive participants. In contrast, physically active individuals demonstrated smaller and less consistent neurotrophic responses, suggesting a potential ceiling effect related to baseline training status. Although several studies reported improvements in executive function and working memory following HIIT, changes in circulating BDNF were not consistently correlated with cognitive outcomes.
Conclusions: HIIT appears to be a strong stimulus for acutely increasing circulating BDNF in healthy young adults, with more emphasized and sustained effects observed in sedentary populations. However, methodological heterogeneity, including differences in biological sampling (serum, plasma, saliva), timing of measurement, and participant training status, limits direct comparison across studies. Peripheral ELISA-based BDNF measurements may not fully reflect central neuroplastic adaptations, emphasizing the need for standardized protocols in future research.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nervous System Diseases | Sports Sciences
Included in
High-Intensity Interval Training and Circulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Healthy Young Adults: A Scoping Review
Abstract
Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival, and cognitive function (1,2,3). High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a time-efficient exercise modality capable of inducing neurotrophic adaptations (4,5). However, the magnitude and consistency of its effects on circulating BDNF remain unclear.
Objective: This scoping review evaluated the current evidence examining the effects of HIIT on circulating BDNF levels measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in healthy young adults.
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus was conducted for randomized and controlled clinical trials published between 2020 and 2025. Studies were included if they involved healthy young adults, utilized cycling-based HIIT protocols, and measured BDNF as a primary outcome using ELISA. Studies involving pathological populations, combined interventions, or non-experimental designs were excluded. Seven studies met eligibility criteria.
Results: Across the included studies, HIIT consistently produced acute elevations in circulating BDNF immediately following exercise, particularly in sedentary individuals. These increases were typically transient, often returning to baseline within 30-90 minutes. Longer interventions (4-8 weeks) were more likely to produce sustained increases in resting BDNF concentrations, especially in previously inactive participants. In contrast, physically active individuals demonstrated smaller and less consistent neurotrophic responses, suggesting a potential ceiling effect related to baseline training status. Although several studies reported improvements in executive function and working memory following HIIT, changes in circulating BDNF were not consistently correlated with cognitive outcomes.
Conclusions: HIIT appears to be a strong stimulus for acutely increasing circulating BDNF in healthy young adults, with more emphasized and sustained effects observed in sedentary populations. However, methodological heterogeneity, including differences in biological sampling (serum, plasma, saliva), timing of measurement, and participant training status, limits direct comparison across studies. Peripheral ELISA-based BDNF measurements may not fully reflect central neuroplastic adaptations, emphasizing the need for standardized protocols in future research.