BDNF and Stroke: Another study with post-stroke patients discovered that high-intensity interval training led to acute elevations in circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor and corticospinal excitability compared to those engaged in moderate-intensity continuous exercise.28 Therefore, high-intensity exercise may have the potential to improve the brain’s receptiveness to rehabilitation through the elevation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and corticospinal excitability.