Serum BDNF predicts increases in telomere length during a month-long residential meditation retreat

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a modulatory neuroprotein implicated in learning, memory, and neuroplasticity. Studies have found increased peripheral BDNF in participants of meditation interventions, indicating that BDNF may play a role in the learning and habit formation that occurs with meditation training. In this study, we assessed changes in peripheral BDNF protein and gene expression across a month-long insight meditation retreat. We also explored relationships between BDNF and previously reported measures of telomerase activity and telomere length — biomarkers implicated in cell aging and longevity.

Method: All participants were experienced meditators. Retreat group participants ( n = 28) were assessed at the beginning of, and 3 weeks into, a silent residential retreat. Control group participants ( n = 34), who were similar in age, gender, and meditation experience, were also assessed across a 3-week interval. BDNF was measured in serum. BDNF transcripts, telomere length, and telomerase activity were measured in PBMCs.

Results: In retreat participants, higher levels of serum BDNF at the beginning of retreat predicted increases in telomere length during retreat. We also found negative correlations between serum BDNF and telomerase activity. Contrary to our prediction, we observed no mean-level change in serum BDNF or BDNF transcripts as a function of retreat.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that basal BDNF levels may play a role in retreat-related improvements observed in telomere biology.