OBJECTIVES: The current study aims to examine the effect of combined exercises and ginkgo biloba supplementation for 8 weeks on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) level in depressed older men. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty depressed older men were randomly divided into four groups of exercise (n = 10), supplementation (n = 10), exercise + supplementation (n = 10), and control (n = 10). In the pre-test phase, blood samples were taken from the subjects. Then the participants in the exercise group performed combined exercises for eight weeks, 3 sessions per week. Those in the supplementation group, the subjects were given 80 mg of ginkgo biloba extract daily for eight weeks. In the exercise plus supplementation group, the subjects received both interventions simultaneously. Blood samples were taken again 24 hours after the end of intervention. Collected data were analyzed using paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni Post Hoc Test. RESULTS: Eight weeks of combined exercise alone, ginkgo biloba supplementation alone, and combined exercise and ginkgo biloba supplementation simultaneously significantly increased BDNF level in depressed older men (p < 0.05). The increase in the BDNF level of subjects in the exercise plus supplementation group was higher (84.78) compared to the exercise (74.37) and supplementation (72.20) groups. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous use of combined exercises and ginkgo biloba supplementation can be used by geriatricians to improve brain function of depressed older men.

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