TY - JOUR

T1 - Suboptimal nutrition and low physical activity are observed together with reduced plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP)

AU - Hansen, Solvejg Lis

AU - Lorentzen, Jakob

AU - Pedersen, Lin T

AU - Hendrich, Frederikke L

AU - Jorsal, Martin

AU - Pingel, Jessica

AU - Nielsen, Jens Bo

AU - Kiens, Bente

N1 - CURIS 2019 NEXS 096

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a mediator of exercise and nutrition-induced neural plasticity. In children with cerebral palsy (CP), neuromuscular deficits and mobility impairment have a negative impact on their physical activity level and nutritional status, but whether these children have reduced BDNF concentrations is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the plasma BDNF concentration, nutritional status, and physical activity level in children with mild to severe CP. Blood sampling, dietary registration, and questionnaires were completed for children with mild CP (gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) I⁻II, n = 31, age 10.6 ± 0.6 years), severe CP (GMFCS IV⁻V, n = 14, age 10.9 ± 1.1 years) and typically developed (TD) children (n = 22, age 10.9 ± 0.6 years). Children with severe CP had ~40% lower plasma BDNF concentration than TD children (p < 0.05). Furthermore, children with severe CP had lower daily physical activity level than TD children (p < 0.01), and a daily intake of energy, n-3 fatty acids, and dietary fibers that was only ~50% of TD (p > 0.001). Reduced plasma BDNF concentrations were observed in children with severe CP. This may be of significance for optimal neural growth and plasticity. This was observed together with low physical activity levels and a suboptimal intake of energy, n-3 fatty acids, and dietary fibers.

AB - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a mediator of exercise and nutrition-induced neural plasticity. In children with cerebral palsy (CP), neuromuscular deficits and mobility impairment have a negative impact on their physical activity level and nutritional status, but whether these children have reduced BDNF concentrations is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the plasma BDNF concentration, nutritional status, and physical activity level in children with mild to severe CP. Blood sampling, dietary registration, and questionnaires were completed for children with mild CP (gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) I⁻II, n = 31, age 10.6 ± 0.6 years), severe CP (GMFCS IV⁻V, n = 14, age 10.9 ± 1.1 years) and typically developed (TD) children (n = 22, age 10.9 ± 0.6 years). Children with severe CP had ~40% lower plasma BDNF concentration than TD children (p < 0.05). Furthermore, children with severe CP had lower daily physical activity level than TD children (p < 0.01), and a daily intake of energy, n-3 fatty acids, and dietary fibers that was only ~50% of TD (p > 0.001). Reduced plasma BDNF concentrations were observed in children with severe CP. This may be of significance for optimal neural growth and plasticity. This was observed together with low physical activity levels and a suboptimal intake of energy, n-3 fatty acids, and dietary fibers.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Dietary registration

KW - Maximal oxygen uptake

KW - Blood sampling

KW - Energy

KW - Dietary fibers

KW - n-3 fatty acids

KW - DHA

KW - Plasticity

KW - Cerebral palsy

U2 - 10.3390/nu11030620

DO - 10.3390/nu11030620

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30875771

VL - 11

JO - Nutrients

JF - Nutrients

SN - 2072-6643

IS - 3

M1 - 620

ER -