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).
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.
Leveraging the power of community to strengthen clinical trials for rare genetic syndromes
By
Shafali Spurling Jeste
11 July 2024 | 7 min read
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.
Telehealth may enable remote participation in autism trials
By
Shafali Spurling Jeste
3 March 2020 | 6 min read
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.
Reaching out to families can inspire new autism research
By
Shafali Spurling Jeste
29 January 2019 | 8 min read
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.
How treating sleep may ease all forms of autism
By
Shafali Spurling Jeste
31 October 2017 | 5 min read
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.
Tennis program serves up benefits for children with autism
By
Shafali Spurling Jeste
7 March 2017 | 9 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Genetic profiles separate early, late autism diagnoses
Age at diagnosis reflects underlying differences in common genetic variants and developmental trajectories among people with autism.
Genetic profiles separate early, late autism diagnoses
Age at diagnosis reflects underlying differences in common genetic variants and developmental trajectories among people with autism.
By
Natalia Mesa
27 November 2025 | 5 min read
To persist, memories surf molecular waves from thalamus to cortex
During the later stages of learning, the mouse brain progressively activates transcriptional regulators that drive memory consolidation.
To persist, memories surf molecular waves from thalamus to cortex
During the later stages of learning, the mouse brain progressively activates transcriptional regulators that drive memory consolidation.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
26 November 2025 | 4 min read
Sex hormone boosts female rats’ sensitivity to unexpected rewards
During the high-estradiol stages of their estrus cycle, female rats learn faster than they do during other stages—and than male rats overall—thanks to a boost in their dopaminergic response to reward, a new study suggests.
Sex hormone boosts female rats’ sensitivity to unexpected rewards
During the high-estradiol stages of their estrus cycle, female rats learn faster than they do during other stages—and than male rats overall—thanks to a boost in their dopaminergic response to reward, a new study suggests.
By
Angie Voyles Askham
26 November 2025 | 5 min read