Do Sub-concussive Hits Matter? Meet the Scientist Leading a Study of Former College Football Players

Do repeated “bell ringers” and repetitive, sub-concussive hits add up over time? In this episode of Learning From Leaders, host Lili Clark sits down with Dr. Jeff Schaffert, assistant professor in UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry, to explore the evolving science of brain health in athletes. Fresh off receiving The Cary Council’s $50,000 early-stage research grant, Dr. Schaffert shares how the pilot study he's leading combines blood-based biomarkers, advanced neuroimaging, and cognitive testing to look for early, often invisible signs of cognitive decline in former collegiate football players.

You’ll hear why this research matters beyond the NFL and how researchers are trying to better understand neurodegenerative risk. Dr. Schaffert also breaks down what leadership looks like in the lab and explains what researchers hope to learn from early signals such as neuroinflammation and white matter changes.

The conversation also zooms out into practical, balanced guidance for families weighing the benefits of sports, plus everyday brain-health habits that can reduce dementia risk over time. This episode tackles the big question about brain health in football and offers clarity, nuance, and a grounded look at what we know and what scientists are still working to understand.

Chapters:

00:00 - Show Open 00:33 - Show introduction 01:00 - Meet Dr. Jeff Schaffert and The Cary Council grant 01:44 - The research goal: detecting early brain change in former athletes 04:39 - Concussions vs repetitive head impacts (subconcussive hits) 07:05 - Recruiting participants and building a comparison group 08:16 - What participants do: surveys, cognitive testing, blood draw, MRI 11:01 - What is tau and why it matters 13:10 - Short-term findings vs long-term impact on sports safety 16:53 - What we know about TBI and Alzheimer’s risk 21:04 - Advice for parents: balancing risk and benefits of sports 23:38 - Texas DPRIT and what it could mean for dementia research 45:19 - Rapid-fire questions and wrap-up

Episode Details:

Episode 1, Season 3

Host: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Guest: Dr. Jeff Schaffert | Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation

Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com

Disclaimer: The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes. Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice.

Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast. However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.” Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented.

The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System. The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.