Shafali Spurling Jeste is professor of neurology and pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. She is also chief of neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/shafali_jeste_0.jpg)
Shafali Spurling Jeste
Professor of neurology and pediatrics, University of Southern California;
Chief of neurology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
From this contributor
Leveraging the power of community to strengthen clinical trials for rare genetic syndromes
Families can become not only participants but champions of these research efforts.
![A hand holds a stack of speech bubbles.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NEW-landscape-1200-1024x692.webp)
Leveraging the power of community to strengthen clinical trials for rare genetic syndromes
Telehealth may enable remote participation in autism trials
Some families do not have the financial ability or time to participate in clinical trials for autism. New technologies may enable them to participate from their homes.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200218-telemedicine-844.jpg)
Telehealth may enable remote participation in autism trials
Reaching out to families can inspire new autism research
For students and early-career investigators, opportunities to meet and talk with the people they are trying to help underscores why the work matters.
![Researchers and doctors interacting with family with genetic syndrome](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/20190129-Jeste844.jpg)
Reaching out to families can inspire new autism research
How treating sleep may ease all forms of autism
Behavioral interventions and medications can help children with autism-related syndromes sleep better, but the treatments must be tailored to the cause of each child’s sleep disturbance.
![Toddler girl sleeping with hair floating against black background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171031JesteV1-1120.jpg)
How treating sleep may ease all forms of autism
Tennis program serves up benefits for children with autism
Tennis is a social game, requiring players to predict and respond to their opponent’s behavior. That may help some children with autism.
![Boy holds tennis racket on court with teacher](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20170222-Jestetennis1120.jpg)
Tennis program serves up benefits for children with autism
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Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
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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
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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.