Jocelyn Wiener is an Oakland-based writer who covers health, mental health, poverty and social issues. Her stories have run in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Sacramento Bee, NPR, Kaiser Health News and other publications around the country. She is a former staff writer for The Sacramento Bee.
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Jocelyn Wiener
From this contributor
Children with disabilities may wait years for essential medical equipment
Many California children with serious healthcare needs often wait months, or even years, before they receive essential medical equipment.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018KHNWheelchair844.jpg)
Children with disabilities may wait years for essential medical equipment
Deportation a constant fear for immigrants with disabled children
As the Trump administration promises to deport a broader range of people, parents of chronically ill children are seeking help to stay in the country.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/20170525-KHNDisable844.jpg)
Deportation a constant fear for immigrants with disabled children
The builders: How parents shaped autism research
A group of savvy parents jump-started autism research in California, but they also set the research agenda.
![MIND Institute](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/daniel_hertzberg_the_builders.jpg)
The builders: How parents shaped autism research
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.