Policy
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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.
Cannabis may be rescheduled–what does it mean for neuroscience?
The drug could become much easier to access, increasing the number of researchers who can work with it and the manufacturers who can produce it.
![A photograph of a scientist holding a cannabis plant](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cannabis-rescheduling-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cannabis may be rescheduled–what does it mean for neuroscience?
The drug could become much easier to access, increasing the number of researchers who can work with it and the manufacturers who can produce it.
What neuroscientists should know—and what they can do—about changes to BRAIN initiative funding
Many grant proposals submitted to the program in the past year are unlikely to be funded, according to people within the National Institutes of Health. But scientist advocates are reaching out to congressional representatives to try to make changes for 2025.
![Hands pull apart a pie chart.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BrainInitiativefunding-1200-1024x692.webp)
What neuroscientists should know—and what they can do—about changes to BRAIN initiative funding
Many grant proposals submitted to the program in the past year are unlikely to be funded, according to people within the National Institutes of Health. But scientist advocates are reaching out to congressional representatives to try to make changes for 2025.
NIH seeks input on how structural racism affects brain research, health
The feedback could lead to “novel ways” to conduct studies and reduce health disparities, a National Institutes of Health employee says.
![Illustration of hands of different colors reaching out to untangle string that is covering a sheet of paper with text on it.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200-neuroscience-transmitter-structural-racism-brain-research-1024x683.webp)
NIH seeks input on how structural racism affects brain research, health
The feedback could lead to “novel ways” to conduct studies and reduce health disparities, a National Institutes of Health employee says.
Knowledge gaps in cephalopod care could stall welfare standards
The U.S. National Institutes of Health wants to regulate research involving cephalopods. But there aren’t enough rigorous studies to base the regulations on, veteran cephalopod researchers say.
![Photograph of a cuttlefish underwater.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1200-inside_2-cephalopod-husbandry-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Knowledge gaps in cephalopod care could stall welfare standards
The U.S. National Institutes of Health wants to regulate research involving cephalopods. But there aren’t enough rigorous studies to base the regulations on, veteran cephalopod researchers say.
Neuroscientists weigh carbon costs of attending annual meeting
Travel to the Society for Neuroscience conference is responsible for tens of thousands of metric tons of carbon emissions, according to a new study, but neuroscientists have yet to agree on what that should mean for the future of the in-person meeting.
![A line of airplanes flies across the sky.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200-sfn-2023-carbon-emissions-socety-for-neuroscience-autism-1-1024x692.webp)
Neuroscientists weigh carbon costs of attending annual meeting
Travel to the Society for Neuroscience conference is responsible for tens of thousands of metric tons of carbon emissions, according to a new study, but neuroscientists have yet to agree on what that should mean for the future of the in-person meeting.
Raising the bar for stem cell research: Q&A with Jack Mosher
New quality benchmarks for basic research involving stem cells promise to improve rigor and reproducibility, says Mosher, who helped develop the standards.
![A scientist looks into a microscope](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-ISSCR-QA-autism.webp)
Raising the bar for stem cell research: Q&A with Jack Mosher
New quality benchmarks for basic research involving stem cells promise to improve rigor and reproducibility, says Mosher, who helped develop the standards.
Neuroscience group to relocate 2025 meeting slated for Florida
Going forward, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology plans to gather at “non-discriminatory sites,” following the passage of Florida laws targeting LGBTQ+ people and reproductive rights.
![Marchers in St. Petersburg, Florida protest anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-florida-ANCP-autism-conference-LGBT.webp)
Neuroscience group to relocate 2025 meeting slated for Florida
Going forward, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology plans to gather at “non-discriminatory sites,” following the passage of Florida laws targeting LGBTQ+ people and reproductive rights.
High prevalence of developmental delay strains Australia’s support systems
The nation needs to build capacity to support the roughly 20 percent of children in Australia who have developmental delay.
![Young child stacks colored blocks on a table.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Motor-autism-development-811-1-1024x692.jpg)
High prevalence of developmental delay strains Australia’s support systems
The nation needs to build capacity to support the roughly 20 percent of children in Australia who have developmental delay.
‘A catalyst for change’: NIH makes first call for research supporting minimally verbal autistic people
The request is energizing scientists investigating autistic people who largely don’t communicate with spoken words.
![Collage of a megaphone with multiple, multi-colored speech bubbles emanating from it.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NOSIcall-autism-1200.jpg)
‘A catalyst for change’: NIH makes first call for research supporting minimally verbal autistic people
The request is energizing scientists investigating autistic people who largely don’t communicate with spoken words.
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.
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.
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 September.
![Research image of astrocytes and microglia in mouse brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1200-spotted-20240903-1024x683.webp)
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 September.