Education

  • BS, Biology, University of Kentucky, 1996 
  • PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Kentucky, 1999 

Research Interests

Dr. Keller serves as Director of the Aging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory and the Institute for Dementia Research & Prevention at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. His work focuses on developing, validating and commercializing scientific technologies created in collaboration with colleagues to translate discovery science into practical solutions that improve health, safety and care for aging populations. His team integrates digital health tools, artificial intelligence and remote assessment platforms to expand access to screening, monitoring and intervention across clinical and community settings.

Current efforts include non-invasive technologies to evaluate and improve driver health and roadway safety among older adults and individuals with chronic or cognitive conditions; AI-powered systems that enhance the identification and care of individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia in primary care and community environments; and web-based, self-guided platforms that enable large-scale, longitudinal research in community-dwelling older adults. Dr. Keller also serves as principal investigator for the Answer ALS data portal and directs AI-based drug discovery efforts for ALS through the Louisiana AI Drug Development Initiative.

Interested in learning more of any of these research efforts or wanting to participate in these research efforts? Contact the IDRP at (225) 763-2973 or dementia@pbrc.edu.

Department:  Aging and Neurodegeneration

Selected Publications

  1. Li F, Zhang L, Craddock J, Bruce-Keller AJ, Dasuri K, Nguyen A, Keller JN.(2008) Aging and dietary restriction effects on ubiquitination, sumoylation, and the proteasome in the heart. Mech Ageing Dev. Sep;129(9):515-21.
  2. Nelson PT, Smith CD, Abner EA, Schmitt FA, Scheff SW, Davis GJ, Keller JN, Jicha GA, David D, Wang WX, Hartman A, Katz DG, Markesbery WR. (2008) Human cerebral neuropathology of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Biochim Biophys Acta. (In press)
  3. Zhang L, Bruce-Keller AJ, Dasuri K, Nguyen A, Liu Y, Keller JN. (2008) Diet-Induced Metabolic Disturbances as modulators of brain homeostasis. Biochim Biophys Acta, (In press)
  4. Ding Q, Cecarini V, Keller JN (2007) Interplay between protein synthesis and degradation in the CNS: physiological and pathological implications. Trends Neurosci. 30, 31-36.
  5. Murphy MP, Beckett TL, Ding Q, Patel E, Markesbery WR, St Clair DK, LeVine H, Keller JN (2007) Abeta solubility and deposition during AD progression and in APP x PS1 knock-in mice. Neurobiol Dis. 27(3):301-11.
  6. Zhang L, Li F, Dimayuga E, Craddock J, Keller JN. (2007) Effects of aging and dietary restriction on ubiquitination, sumoylation, and the proteasome in the spleen. FEBS Lett. 581(28):5543-7.
  7. Ding Q, Dimayuga E, Markesbery WR, Keller JN (2006) Proteasome inhibition induces reversible impairments in protein synthesis. FASEB J 20, 1055-1063.
  8. Keller JN, Schmidt FA, Ding Q, Chen Q, Scheff SW, Butterfield DA, Markesbery WR (2005) Increased oxidative stress in mild cognitive impairment. Neurology 64, 1152-1156.
  9. Chen Q, Li F, Thorpe J, Dohmen RJ, Keller JN (2005) Extension of lifespan and decreased oxidative stress in yeast expressing UMP1: central role for the proteasome? Free Radical Biol Med 40, 120-126.
  10. Ding Q, Li F, Chen Q, Markesbery WR, Keller JN (2005) Ribosome dysfunction is an early event in AD. J Neurosci 25, 9171-9175.