Alasdair MacLullich
Alasdair M. J. MacLullich | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 January 1970 |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
| Known for | Development of the 4 'A's Test (4AT), Co-founding the European Delirium Association |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geriatric Medicine, Delirium, Cognitive Aging, Neuropsychology |
| Institutions | University of Edinburgh |
Alasdair MacLullich is a British geriatrician and academic who serves as Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.[1] He is recognised internationally for his contributions to delirium research and clinical practice, particularly for developing the 4 'A's Test (4AT) and co-founding the European Delirium Association.[2][1]
Education and early career
[edit]MacLullich completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Edinburgh, including an intercalated BSc(Hons) in Psychology.[1][3] Following completion of general medical training, he pursued a PhD on glucocorticoids and cognitive ageing.[1]
Career
[edit]MacLullich was Clinical Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine from 2000 to 2005.[1] He was subsequently appointed as a Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinician Scientist Fellow from 2005 to 2009.[1] He was appointed Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 2008,[1] though some sources indicate the appointment was in 2009.[3]
MacLullich is affiliated with the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh and is based at the Centre for Population Health Sciences.[4] He is a member of the University of Edinburgh Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, part of the cross-council Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Initiative.[5]
MacLullich co-founded the European Delirium Association in 2006 and has held several leadership roles within the organisation.[1][2] He serves as President of the European Delirium Association.[1]
In 2016, MacLullich co-founded World Delirium Awareness Day (WDAD) and co-runs the associated website.[2]
MacLullich serves as founding Deputy Editor of the journals Delirium and Delirium Communications.[2]
MacLullich is active clinically, working in acute geriatric medicine and acute orthogeriatrics.[1] He leads the regional 'Delirium and Dementia Implementation Group' with a focus on improving the detection and management of delirium and dementia in acute hospital patients.[1]
MacLullich co-chaired the committee that produced the 2019 Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines on 'Risk reduction and management of delirium'.[2]
Research contributions
[edit]MacLullich's research focuses on delirium, dementia, cognition, and hip fracture.[2] His work has contributed to several areas of delirium research, including clinical assessment tools, neuropsychology of delirium, pathophysiology of delirium, and large-scale routine data analysis.[2] His research interests also extend to frailty and stress.[3] According to academic databases, MacLullich has published over 158 research papers.[6]
MacLullich is the main author and led the development of the 4 'A's Test (4AT), a clinical assessment tool for delirium that has become widely used and recommended in clinical practice globally.[2] The test is supported by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.[5]
MacLullich conducted pioneering studies utilising cerebrospinal fluid analysis obtained during spinal anaesthesia in hip fracture patients to explore the pathophysiology of delirium.[2]
He has developed research on hip fracture outcomes using large-scale data available through the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit.[2] MacLullich serves as Chair of the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit Steering Group.[3]
MacLullich has contributed to neuroimaging research as part of his work on delirium and cognitive disorders.[7]
Selected publications
[edit]- "New horizons in the pathogenesis, assessment and management of delirium". Age and Ageing. 42 (6): 667–674. 2013. doi:10.1093/ageing/aft148. PMC 3809721. PMID 24067500.
- "CSF biomarkers in delirium: a systematic review". International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 33 (11): 1479–1500. 2018. doi:10.1002/gps.4720. PMID 28628246.
- "Three key areas in progressing delirium practice and knowledge". Age and Ageing. 51 (11) afac271. 2022. doi:10.1093/ageing/afac271. PMC 9704028. PMID 36309474.
According to Google Scholar, MacLullich has been cited over 18,000 times for his research contributions.[7] His research has been published in leading medical journals including Brain Communications and has contributed to major reviews on delirium.[8] MacLullich has an ORCID identifier (0000-0003-3159-9370) which tracks his scholarly publications and research contributions.[9]
Other activities
[edit]MacLullich serves as an academic panellist for the Anscombe Bioethics Centre.[3] He has also been involved in delirium research collections published by the British Geriatrics Society.[10] He is based at the Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Professor Alasdair M J MacLullich". Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Investigator of the Month (October 2023): Alasdair MacLullich, MRCP, PhD". NIDUS. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Prof. Alasdair M. J. MacLullich". Anscombe Bioethics Centre. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Alasdair MacLullich". University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Acknowledgements - The 4 'A's test for detecting delirium in acute medical patients: a diagnostic accuracy study". NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ "Alasdair MACLULLICH". ResearchGate. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Alasdair MacLullich". Google Scholar. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ "Alasdair Maclullich - University of Edinburgh Research Explorer". University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ "Alasdair MacLullich (0000-0003-3159-9370)". ORCID. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ "Delirium research, education, and practice". British Geriatrics Society. Retrieved 12 July 2025.