Dr Andrew McKechanie
Senior Clinical Research Fellow & Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist

- The Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome & Intellectual Disabilities
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Division of Psychiatry
Contact details
- Email: andrew.mckechanie@ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
-
Kennedy Tower
Royal Edinburgh Hospital - City
- Edinburgh
- Post code
- EH10 5HF
Background
Following psychiatric training in North Yorkshire and Edinburgh, Dr McKechanie took up a position as clinical lecturer in learning disabilities at the University of Edinburgh in 2008. Within this post he focused on the genetic basis of intellectual disability and the contribution of small changes in the genetic code to increased susceptibility to mental illness in those with an intellectual disability.
He has worked at The Patrick Wild Centre since its opening in 2010, where much of his work has focused on fragile X syndrome, and is now looking at the use of large datasets to inform health in fragile X syndrome and other conditions.
His clinical work is as a consultant psychiatrist for the NHS Lothian Learning Disability Service.
He is also a board advisor to Scottish Autism, a national charity which provides autism-specific services to children and adults with autism, along with support and information for their families, carers and professionals.
Responsibilities & affiliations
Member, Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy of Scotland
Fellow, Royal College of Psychiatrists
Board advisor and former board member, Scottish Autism
Former board member, Scotland Malawi Mental Health Education Project
Co-author of WHO papers on the Health of Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities. [Priority 4] [Priority 7]
Research summary
Dr McKechanie’s research interests primarily relate to intellectual disabilities, the autism spectrum and related neurodevelopmental disorders. While our understanding of these conditions has increased dramatically in recent years, in many cases this has yet to be translated into meaningful clinical benefits for individuals affected by them. His research aims to change this.
-
Negative symptoms and longitudinal gray matter tissue loss in adolescents at risk of psychosis: Preliminary findings from a 6-year follow-up study.
In:
The British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 208, pp. 565-570
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.114.154526
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
The association of autistic traits and behavioural patterns in adolescents receiving special educational assistance
In:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, vol. 45, pp. 3055-3060
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2445-2
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Bridging the translational divide: identical cognitive touchscreen testing in mice and humans carrying mutations in a disease-relevant homologous gene
In:
Scientific Reports, vol. 5, pp. 14613
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep14613
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Endocrine Dysfunction in Female FMR1 Premutation Carriers: Characteristics and Association with Ill Health
In:
Genes, vol. 7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes7110101
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Links between autism spectrum disorder diagnostic status and family quality of life
In:
Children, vol. 4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children4040023
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Predictors of psychotic symptoms among young people with special educational needs: a 6 year follow-up study
In:
The British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2018.296
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published)