Objectives: The current study aims to examine the effect of combined exercises and ginkgo biloba supplementation for 8 weeks on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) level in depressed older men.
Methods & Materials: Forty depressed older men were randomly divided into four groups of exercise (n=10), supplementation (n=10), exercise + supplementation (n=10), and control (n=10). In the pre-test phase, blood samples were taken from the subjects. Then the participants in the exercise group performed combined exercises for eight weeks, 3 sessions per week. Those in the supplementation group, the subjects were given 80 mg of ginkgo biloba extract daily for eight weeks. In the exercise + supplementation group, the subjects received both interventions simultaneously. Blood samples were taken again 24 hours after the end of intervention. Collected data were analyzed using paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni Post Hoc Test.
Results: Eight weeks of combined exercise alone, ginkgo biloba supplementation alone, and combined exercise and ginkgo biloba supplementation simultaneously significantly increased BDNF level in depressed older men (P<0.05). The increase in the BDNF level of subjects in the exercise + supplementation group was higher (84.78) compared to the exercise (74.37) and supplementation (72.20) groups.
Conclusion: Simultaneous use of combined exercises and ginkgo biloba supplementation can be used by geriatricians to improve brain function of depressed older men.