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Leah Acker

Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology
Anesthesiology, Neuroanesthesia
136 Sands Building, Durham, NC 27710

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology · 2022 - Present Anesthesiology, Neuroanesthesia, Anesthesiology
Assistant Research Professor in Neurobiology · 2024 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments

In the News


Published December 13, 2023
Blink of an Eye Predicts Post-Surgery Cognitive Issues

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Recent Publications


Mixed-methods Analysis of Preoperative Distress and Postoperative Outcomes in a Prospective, Observational Cohort of Older Adults.

Journal Article Anesthesiology · January 1, 2026 BACKGROUND: The effect of psychological distress on general geriatric surgery outcomes remains unexplored despite recommendations for routine, preoperative distress screening. This study aimed to assess preoperative distress measures in a general geriatric ... Full text Link to item Cite

Prediction of postoperative delirium in older adults from preoperative cognition and occipital alpha power from resting-state electroencephalogram.

Journal Article Age Ageing · October 30, 2025 BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium is the most common complication following surgery amongst older adults, and has been consistently associated with increased mortality and morbidity, cognitive decline, loss of independence and increased health-care costs. ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Neurobiology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2024 - 2029

Neural Mechanisms Underlying Attentional Resilience in the Aging Brain

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2024 - 2029

Inflammatory Hangover and Cognitive Aging: A role of the brain-heart-immune axis in cognitive decline

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by McKnight Foundation · 2025 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University, School of Medicine · 2017 M.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 2014 Ph.D.

External Links


Acker Lab Website