It’s been 15 years since forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu discovered and diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the brain of former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, spawning additional research on the subject and a movie, "Concussion," starring Will Smith.
In those 15 years, however, one thing has not changed. If football players, boxers, soldiers or anyone else wants to find out if they have CTE, they have to die first.
CTE, a degenerative brain disease that can cause depression, mood disorders and cognitive changes, can only be detected at autopsy.
Scientists are researching ways to change that, and an important part of that work will begin in late summer or early fall in Arizona.