(602818) SPECIAL SYMPOSIUM: Are We Ready for Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor as a Clinical Outcome Biomarker?

Thursday, November 7

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Location: Waldorf, Third Floor

Presenter(s)

Erwin van Wegen, PhD

Associate Professor
Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam Movement Sciences
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Patricia Heyn, PhD, FGSA, FACRM

Associate Professor
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado
Ted Kheng Siang Ng, PhD

Research Fellow; Postdoctoral Scholar
DUKE-National University of Singapore; , University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus
James Carollo, PhD, PE

Associate Professor; Director, Center for Movement Analysis, Childrens Hospital Colorado
Childrens Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado

Moderator(s)

Mark Hirsch, PhD

Senior Scientist
Carolinas Rehabilitation, Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mark Newman, PhD, MPH

Research Scientist, Assistant Professor
Carolinas Rehabilitation, Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health
Charlotte, North Carolina

Upload Image The objective of this symposium is to critically discuss the evidence supporting BDNF biomarker as an important clinical outcome measure in neurodegenerative diseases as well as in health conditions related to cognitive and physical frailty status.

Learning Objectives:

review recent trials on physical exercised and cognitive intervention induced BDNF changes in rehabilitation populations with cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson disease.
appreciate the role of BDNF as a clinical biomarker associated with physical and cognitive function
identify some prominent variables that could confound and contribute to the heterogeneity of peripheral BDNF levels, hence taking into account these factors in designing future clinical studies
understand the association of BDNF with lower and upper extremity function and muscle strength in frail and physically vulnerable populations.
Present data that supports BDNF associations to mobility and cognitive function, especially related to aging and neurodegenerative processes associated with an increased risk of physical dependency and even death.