Aging, Disconnection Syndrome and Brain Network Weakening for Lack of BDNF

Here is the concept of disconnection syndrome related to aging and directly proportional to peripheral BDNF.  I recently blogged that decreased BDNF first resulted in loss of connections or synapticity first, neuron function second and neuron integrity last.

Peripheral levels of BDNF directly correlate to network or synaptic connectivity .

Raise peripheral BDNF levels and preserve motor function by preserving nerve connections or brain synapticity or network health first, neuron health second and neuron integrity last.

This study uses fMRI to show the direct correlation of BDNF and Connectivity.

Babies walk slowly and with poor balance.

Elders walk slowly and with declining balance.

Both are respectfully due to immature networks with high BDNF and mature networks with low BDNF.

Babies gain and elders lose network connectivity in relation to BDNF and synapticity or  brain network connection strength.

Would elders reduce falls and increase their timed walking distance with cognitive brain speed training?  This has been confirmed as superior to leg strengthening and gait training, the usual recommended treatment to prevent falls.

What if the goal was redirected to maximize BDNF?  

BDNF is a bio marker that directly correlates to "connectivity" and function should follow the peripheral level of BDNF  and the restoration of brain body learning as in post stroke motor rehabilitation.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458015005552

Serum BDNF correlates with connectivity in the (pre)motor hub in the aging human brain—a resting-state fMRI pilot study