Prof Alexander Baldacchino
Chair in Medicine
Research areas
My main research interest lies in improving the lives of individuals with a history of substance misuse problems. My research portofolios have a common thread of understanding the comorbid conditions (physical and psychological) arising as a result of chronic abuse of pharmacological agents with dependence potential especially opioids and alcohol. I am interested in utilising informatic systems, clinical outcome data, neuropsychological and neuroimaging processes amongst many other possibilities in order to identify and minimise risks present in this patient population
I graduated as a doctor in Malta in 1987 gaining my MD in the process. I eventually decided to study psychiatry as my clinical specialisiation following a period of internal medicine jobs. I therefore joined the basic and higher psychiatric schemes in the UK (Cambridge, Edinburgh, Fife and London) in order to fulfill my requirements as a general psychiatrist and as a specialist in addiction medicine. I was awarded my MRCPsych in 1994, FRCPsych in 2007 and FRCPE in 2016. Always interested in research and teaching I pursued a clinical academic career along side my basic medical and higher psychiatric training. I joined as a lecturer and senior lecturer with St George's Hospital Medical School in London and then with Ninewells Hospital Medical School in Dundee. I was awarded my MPhil in Psychiatry from the University of Edinburgh in 1996 and a PhD in Medicine from the University of Dundee in 2012.
I am a Executive Board Member and Chair for the training and education Committee and, recently, President Elect of the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) I am also founding member for the European Network for Training, Education and Research (ENTER)-Mental Health. Other positions include Associate Director for the Social Dimensions of Health Institute (SDHI), NHS Fife Research and Development (R&D) Director, and President for ISAMDundee2015 World Congress.
Last but certainly not least I am honoured to spend time with patients who need the best of clinical care and compassion which, I hope, makes a difference in their quality of life.
My hobbies are hill walking, swimming and gardening
PhD supervision
- Aldo Alberto Conti
Selected publications
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COVID-19 and substance use disorders: Recommendations to a comprehensive healthcare response. An International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) Practice and Policy Interest Group position paper
Farhoudian, A., Baldacchino, A. M., Clark, N., Gerra, G., Ekhtiari, H., Dom, G., Mokri, A., Sadeghi, M., Nematollahi, P., Demasi, M., Schütz, C. G., Hashemian, S. M., Tabarsi, P., Galea-Singer, S., Carrà, G., Clausen, T., Kouimtsidis, C., Tolomeo, S., Radfar, S. R. & Razaghi, E. M., 12 Apr 2020, In : Basic and Clinical Neuroscience. Special Issue on COVID-19, p. 129-146 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Review article
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Neurocognitive consequences of chronic cannabis use: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Figureiredo, P., Tolomeo, S., Steele, D. & Baldacchino, A. M., Jan 2020, In : Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 108, p. 358-369Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Pharmacogenetics of opioid addiction: are they relevant to young people?
Davey, F. & Baldacchino, A. M., 7 Jan 2020, Substance Misuse and Young People: Critical Issues. Crome, I. & Williams, R. (eds.). 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN: Routledge, p. 118-126Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
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Psychological basis of obesity
Tsegaye, A., Kökönyei, G., Baldacchino, A. M., Urbán, R., Demetrovics, Z. & Logemann, H. N. A., 8 Jun 2020, Obesity and Obstetrics. Mahmood, T., Arulkumaran, S. & Chervenak, F. (eds.). 2nd ed. Netherlands: Elsevier, p. 37-44 8 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
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Psychological impact of the acute COVID-19 period on patients with substance use disorders (SUD): we are all in it together
DeJong, C. A. J., DeJong Verhagen, J. G., Pols, R., Verbrugge, C. A. G. & Baldacchino, A. M., 6 Jun 2020, In : Basic and Clinical Neuroscience. 11, 3.Covid 19, p. 163-172Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Severity of negative mood and anxiety symptoms occurring during acute abstinence from tobacco: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Conti, A. A., Tolomeo, S., Steele, D. & Baldacchino, A. M., Aug 2020, In : Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 115, p. 48-63Research output: Contribution to journal ? Review article
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A roadmap for integrating neuroscience into addiction treatment: a consensus of the Neuroscience Interest Group of the International Society of Addiction Medicine
Verdejo-Garcia, A., Lorenzetti, V., Manning, V., Piercy, H., Bruno, R., Hester, R., Pennington, D., Tolomeo, S., Arunogiri, S., Bates, M. E., Bowden-Jones, H., Campanella, S., Daughters, S. B., Kouimtsidis, C., Lubman, D. I., Meyerhoff, D. J., Ralph, A., Rezapour, T., Tavakoli, H., Zare-Bidoky, M., Zilverstand, A., Steele, D., Moeller, S. J., Paulus, M., Baldacchino, A. M. & Ekhtiari, H., 23 Dec 2019, In : Frontiers in Psychiatry. 10, p. 1-23 23 p., 877.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Review article
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Buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone opioid replacement therapy: a 2-year follow-up study and health economic analysis
Kidd, B., Renwick, C., Parrott, S., Matthews, K. & Baldacchino, A. M., 3 Apr 2019, In : Journal of Addiction & Addictive Disorders. 6, 1, 9 p., 24.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Chronic tobacco smoking and neuropsychological impairments: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Conti, A. A., McLean, L., Tolomeo, S., Steele, D. & Baldacchino, A. M., Jan 2019, In : Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 96, p. 143-154 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Review article
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Cognitive consequences of opioid use
Baldacchino, A. M., Steele, D., Davey, F. & Tolomeo, S., 21 Mar 2019, Cognition and Addiction: A Researcher?s Guide from Mechanisms towards Interventions: Section 2: COGNITIVE RISK FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF SUBSTANCE AND BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS. Verdejo-Garcia, A. (ed.). 35 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter