Elevated BDNF levels following exercise-based lifestyle interventions have been associated with reduced neuronal apoptosis and demyelination.33,34 Consistent with our findings, a randomized controlled trial by Tolahunase et al demonstrated that a 12-week yoga and meditation-based lifestyle intervention (YMLI) significantly increased BDNF levels in a cohort of 58 MDD patients. Here, BDNF is linked to major depressive disorder.