Policy
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.
New estimate suggests most autistic adults in England lack a formal diagnosis
The finding underscores a need for adult autism diagnostic services.
![A man looks out the window](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-autism-prevalence-england.jpg)
New estimate suggests most autistic adults in England lack a formal diagnosis
The finding underscores a need for adult autism diagnostic services.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.