摘要
Research significance:Dance symbolizes rhythmic body movements to music intending expression of an idea or emotion that delights the performer.Bharatanatyam,an imperative form of Indian Classical dance,has therapeutic implications including enhancement of cognitive function.Neurotrophins belonging to the nerve growth factor family essentially regulate neuronal growth,development and maintenance.The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor(BDNF)is a member of this family.Long-term memory and learning are vitally influenced by BDNF.In Bharatanatyam,new movements are learntand they are practiced until perfection.Every newly learntmovement initially stays in short-term memory and with practice,it reaches the long-term memory.And thus,a favorableincrease in plasma BDNF levels can be associated with Bharatanatyam.In the BDNF gene,rs6265 is a common single nucleotide polymorphism,which results in a valine(Val)being substituted with methionine(Met)in the prodomainat codon 66(Val66Met).This genetic variation affects the BDNF protein’s activity-dependent release.Research methods:With an intention to delve into the link between BDNF gene variants and Bharatanatyam,we conducted an observational research study on 93 participants with their due consent.The study group included 45 dancers and 48 non-dancers.Results anddiscussion:Genotype suggesting optimal BDNF production was proportionately higher in dancers(40%)than non-dancers.Many of the dancers with optimal BDNF genotype expressed a feeling of happiness as their mental status after one hour of dancing and also took up other exercises(like skating/badminton/basketball player etc)as well.While amongst dancers with sub-optimal BDNF genotype,most of them did not take up any other exercise(like skating/badminton/basketball player etc)andalso expressed a blank feeling as their mental status after one hour of dancing.Thus,BDNF has an evident role in the formation of new learning and memory.
