Qiushan Tao, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics
Dr. Tao’s collaboration with Dr. Wendy Qiu, M.D., Ph.D., a Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Experimental Pharmacology & Therapeutics at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (BU ADRC), is marked by significant research contributions in the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and neurodegenerative conditions. Their Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry in Aging, housed within the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, is dedicated to exploring genetics, biomarkers, and the intricate mechanisms of these diseases. In his first research area, Dr. Tao has collaborated with Dr. Alvin Ang and Dr. Rhoda Au to investigate the gene-environment interaction effects of chronic inflammation (CRP) on AD risk, particularly within diverse APOE gene genotypes in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) cohort (JAMA Netw. Open, 2018). Subsequently, Dr. Tao extended this research to examine the interaction between the APOE4 genotype and CRP on the longitudinal changes in early AD indicators, utilizing data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) (Neurology. 2021). Their most recent publication marks a groundbreaking achievement (Alzheimer’s Dement. 2023). The study integrated data from ADNI and FHS study to identify an APOE ε4–specific blood-based molecular pathway for AD risk, opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions. In his second research area, Dr. Tao’s pioneering work has illuminated the role of persistent midlife loneliness as an independent risk factor for AD and dementia, leading to atrophy in brain regions responsible for memory and executive function (Alzheimer’s Dement. in 2021). Subsequent research has expanded on these findings, examining various types of loneliness and their influence on cognitive function and brain structure in midlife. Dr. Tao’s third research area delves into the intricate mechanisms underlying the early onset of AD, employing a comprehensive approach that integrates human and mouse data to explore gut-brain axis hormones pathways (J Alzheimers Dis. 2018, JAMA Netw Open. 2019), which provided invaluable insights into the complexities of AD.