Like many others around the world working in Alzheimer’s disease research, the goal of Taeho Jo, PhD, is to identify the disease earlier and find better, more effective treatments for those with the disease so their lives may improve.
Jo, an assistant professor of radiology and imaging sciences at IU and recent recipient of a REC Scholar award by the Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, believes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) may be the key to accomplishing those things.
“Using the newest AI technology to help diagnose and treat diseases is the most exciting part of my research,” Jo said. “By analyzing genomic data, neuroimaging, and multi-omics information together, we can catch the small, early changes that happen in Alzheimer's disease and find hidden biological clues connected to who might get Alzheimer's and how quickly it might progress. This approach could improve how doctors diagnose the disease and predict what might happen next for patients.”
Jo believes the use of AI in research can help him and other researchers find patterns that might be missed using older research techniques.
He has developed innovative models to help detect and classify Alzheimer's disease at an early stage using brain imaging data. For example, Jo created a 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) model for tau PET scans, which has improved the accuracy of Alzheimer's diagnosis.
“We have made those tools openly available for other researchers to utilize,” Jo said. “I believe these platforms have established a new and progressive standard for utilizing high-dimensional genomic and metabolomic data. We’ve been able to validate their usefulness across various Alzheimer's disease cohorts through research funding from the Alzheimer's Association.”
REC Scholar Award Impact
The REC Scholar award is more than just recognition; it's a catalyst. Dr. Jo hopes it will expand his reach and impact to share details about the models he has developed.
"By receiving the REC Scholar award, I expect to attend more national and international conferences and research meetings, where I can share my work with more people,” Jo said. "These opportunities will help me build stronger partnerships with other experts and find ways to make a real difference in Alzheimer's research in medical research sett
ings. Over time, these connections and exchanges of ideas will help advance my research in important new directions."
Beyond the Lab
Dr. Jo's passion for AI and knowledge extends beyond the lab.
"Outside of research, I write books. I've published several books about AI and a collection of essays,” Jo said. “I believe sharing my knowledge with younger researchers is just as important as the research itself. By helping them avoid the same mistakes I made and teaching them to work more efficiently, I hope to contribute to the development of the next generation of scientists."
Collaboration and Impact
Ultimately, Dr. Jo's work is driven by a desire to improve lives for those facing Alzheimer’s Disease and those working to learn more about it."While my research involves using AI to understand complex biological data, what really matters to me is improving life for patients,” Jo said. “The real value of AI technology depends on how we apply it. Looking ahead, I hope to collaborate with AI specialists, doctors, patients, and caregivers to develop solutions that make a meaningful difference in people's lives."