Julie Lounds Taylor is assistant professor of pediatrics and special education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TaylorJL_2012.jpg)
Julie Lounds Taylor
Assistant professor
Vanderbilt University
From this contributor
For people with autism, path to friendship may start in high school
Not all individuals with autism show signs of falling off a social cliff after high school; those who participated in organized sports and clubs fare the best.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/Spectrum-4-Leaving-Highschool-v1.jpg)
For people with autism, path to friendship may start in high school
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.