Systemic inflammation, depression and exercise in health and disease

Recorded on 25 October at the Osteopathy Conference 2024 in Sydney Australia, Frank Willard PhD explores the magnitude of the problem of systemic inflammation, its related disease processes and how the osteopathic approach is uniquely positioned to address this condition.

With systemic inflammation being the most significant cause of death worldwide (Furman et al., 2019), this video features Frank Willard PhD and his talk encompasses the stages of acute inflammation, the beneficial effects of acute inflammation in the healing process, and early triggers of systemic inflammation. Inflammation within the cardiovascular, renal, musculoskeletal, neurologic and psychiatric systems will be discussed. Frank focuses on the role of exercise in mitigating these effects with respect to dopamine release, cognitive improvement in patients with depression, elevated BDNF and decreased oxidative stress (Hird et al., 2024).

The presenter:

Frank Willard, PhD received his doctoral degree in Anatomy and Neurobiology from the College of Medicine, University of Vermont and did three years of post-doctoral training in the Department of Anatomy, at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.  He joined the Anatomy Department at the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1983, where he holds the rank of Professor.

Currently, he is the Discipline Director for Anatomy, the Course Director for Osteopathic Medical Anatomy, taught to the Year-One Osteopathic Students, and the Course Director for the Medical Neuroanatomy and Neurology, taught to the Year II Osteopathic Medical Students.  He is ranked as a Master Instructor in the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society.  He has served as the Basic Science Editor for the Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine text.  His research has focused on spine anatomy and spine of spinal origin.

1.0 CPD hour.

Disclaimer: Content correct at the time of publication.