Interaction Effect between Physical Activity and the BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism on Depression in Women from the PISMA-ep Study

The relationship between depression and the Val66Met polymorphism at the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF), has been largely studied. It has also been related to physical activity, although the results remain inconclusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between this polymorphism, depression and physical activity in a thoroughly characterised sample of community-based individuals from the PISMA-ep study. A total of 3123 participants from the PISMA-ep study were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, of which 209 had depression. Our results are in line with previous studies reporting a protective effect of physical activity on depression, specifically in light intensity. Interestingly, we report a gene-environment interaction effect in which Met allele carriers of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism who reported more hours of physical activity showed a decreased prevalence of depression. This effect was observed in the total sample (OR = 0.95, 95%CI = 0.90-0.99, p = 0.027) and was strengthened in women (OR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.87-0.98, p = 0.019). These results highlight the potential role of physical activity as a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and adjuvant treatment of depression and suggest molecular and genetic particularities of depression between sexes.

Automated summary

This study aims to investigate the relationship between depression, the Val66Met polymorphism at the BDNF gene, and physical activity. The results show a protective effect of physical activity on depression, particularly in light intensity. Interestingly, individuals carrying the Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism who engage in more hours of physical activity have a decreased prevalence of depression, with this effect being more pronounced in women. These findings emphasize the potential role of physical activity as a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating depression, and suggest molecular and genetic differences in depression between sexes.