The Knock-On Effect Podcast
Dr Rowena Mobbs: CTE: There is Hope! - TKOE#15
Can CTE be recognised during life? What does “probable CTE” actually mean? And if someone is showing signs of neurological change after years of contact sport, what can actually be done? In this episode of The Knock-On Effect, Adam Wood and Cliff Butler sit down with Associate Professor Dr Rowena Mobbs, cognitive neurologist and one of Australia’s leading clinicians working at the intersection of concussion, repetitive head impacts, dementia and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). What emerges is a conversation that is serious, confronting, but unexpectedly optimistic. Dr Mobbs takes us inside the clinical process of assessing people concerned about CTE, explains the difference between CTE pathology and Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES), and explores how neurologists rule out other causes including Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, sleep disorders, alcohol-related cognitive impairment and other forms of dementia. We also explore what the future may hold: biomarkers capable of detecting CTE during life, better treatment options, earlier intervention and, ultimately, the possibility of slowing or preventing disease progression. The conversation also turns to the sporting field. From junior sport and community football to concussion protocols, repetitive head impacts, helmets, contact training and the role schools can play, Dr Mobbs challenges us to think differently about how we reduce unnecessary exposure without losing the sports we love. And importantly, CTE is not simply an elite athlete issue. Many of the patients Dr Mobbs sees are everyday people who played community and amateur sport for decades. In this episode: 00:00 – Introducing Dr Rowena Mobbs 03:45 – How our understanding of concussion and CTE has changed 07:13 – What happens when someone asks: “Do I have CTE?” 09:13 – Inside the neurological assessment for suspected CTE 12:34 – CTE, TES and “probable CTE” explained 15:33 – How confident can doctors be diagnosing CTE during life? 17:50 – CTE in younger people 19:07 – Treatment, support and living with probable CTE 22:22 – The CTE support network and why there is reason for hope 25:20 – Why repetitive head impacts matter in community sport 28:32 – How many concussions are too many? 30:39 – Persistent concussion symptoms, migraine and treatment 35:03 – What should junior and community sport change? 38:45 – Can technology measure and manage repetitive head impacts? 40:05 – Do helmets and Guardian Caps actually protect the brain? 42:53 – Why grassroots sport may need to be more conservative 45:10 – The case for a national concussion passport 46:24 – Where people concerned about CTE can seek support 48:47 – The message for athletes, families and the sporting community The key message: there is still much we do not know about CTE, but people experiencing symptoms are not without options. Assessment is improving, support exists, research is advancing and the future of diagnosis and treatment looks very different to where we were even a decade ago. Useful links & support ConneCTErs Australia – National CTE Support Program https://connecters.org.au/national-cte-support Dementia Australia https://www.dementia.org.au/ National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500 Australian Concussion Guidelines & Resources – Australian Institute of Sport / Australian Sports Commission https://www.ausport.gov.au/concussion These resources provide information and support for people concerned about concussion, repetitive head impacts, suspected or probable CTE, and brain health. ️ The Knock-On Effect explores concussion, brain health and how we can make sport safer without losing what makes sport great. If this conversation could help an athlete, coach, parent, administrator or family member, please share it. #CTE #Concussion #BrainHealth #SportSafety #ChronicTraumaticEncephalopathy #Neurology #CommunitySport #TheKnockOnEffect
