Abstract: In this work, the research progress of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in exercise to improve cognitive dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was reviewed. It focused on the biological functions of BDNF and its involvement in the upstream SIRT1-PGC1a/FNDC5 pathway and downstream Src/PLC-γ1, Ras/MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, alterations in brain regions associated with cognitive function in ASD patients, as well as the mechanisms of BDNF expression and regulation in different pathological biological models of ASD. The paper elaborated on the potential role of BDNF in improving synaptic plasticity, learning and memory abilities, and ultimately cognitive functions of the hippocampus in the brain. In this way, the role of BDNF in promoting neuronal synaptic plasticity, improving learning and memory abilities, and ultimately improving cognitive functions in the brain could be explored, and the regulation of BDNF expression might play an important role in improving hippocampal cognitive functions in patients with ASD, which might provide a new perspective for understanding the complex causal relationship between down-regulation of BDNF expression and the improvement of hippocampal cognitive functions of patients with autism through exercise. It would provide a new perspective for understanding the complex causal relationship between BDNF expression and the improvement of hippocampal cognitive function in autistic patients through exercise. Finally, it was expected that the targeting of BDNF will provide a broad prospect for the development of biomarkers and drugs for the clinical diagnosis of autism, a strong theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of ASD, and new ideas and theoretical foundations for exercise rehabilitation.

Key words: exercise, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, autism spectrum disorder, cognition function, Val66Met