Differential brain and spinal cord cytokine and BDNF levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis are modulated by prior and regular exercise

•We investigated the neuroimmunophysiological effects of exercise in EAE.•Prior swimming attenuated clinical presentation of EAE from onset to peak disease.•Prior swimming did not alter CNS recruitment of leukocytes in EAE.•Prior swimming altered cytokines levels in the brain and spinal cord in EAE mice.•Prior swimming increased BDNF levels in the brain and spinal cord in peak EAE mice.

The interactions between a prior program of regular exercise and the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-mediated responses were evaluated. In the exercised EAE mice, although there was no effect on infiltrated cells, the cytokine and derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were altered, and the clinical score was attenuated. Although, the cytokine levels were decreased in the brain and increased in the spinal cord, BDNF was elevated in both compartments with a tendency of lesser demyelization volume in the spinal cord of the exercised EAE group compared with the unexercised.