IGF-1 and BDNF are two neurotrophins that potentially could be used as biomarkers for recovery of patient suffering of ischemic stroke or other neurodegenerative pathologies, but the precise molecular mechanisms by which their levels can be regulated by physical activity are not definitively understood (Carro et al., 2000; Trejo et al., 2001; Huang et al., 2014; Maass et al., 2016). The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is ischemic stroke.