Adarsh Makdani
School of Psychology

Faculty: Faculty of Health
School: School of Psychology
Email address: A.Makdani@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 6348
I joined the SomAffect lab in 2014, beginning a PhD project which was supported by the Pain Relief Foundation.
Prior to that, I read Neuroscience with Psychology (BSc. Hons.) at University of Aberdeen's School of Medical Sciences.
The aim of my PhD research is to further the understanding of peripheral pain mechanisms. Sensory & psychophysiological testing alongside Microneurography, was used to investigate the electrophysiological properties of afferent nerve fibres (in humans), in both normal, and neuropathic pain models/ states. The PhD supervisors are Francis McGlone, Susannah Walker and David Moore. Microneurography is conducted in partnership with Andrew Marshall.
I continue to work closely with the SomAffect lab to investigate: 1) the effect of skin health & hydration on nerve fibre function, 2) the spinal cord projections of C-Tactile afferents, & 3) the functional characteristics of nerve fibres behind "affective" touch.
I’m a strong advocate for scientific communication, and public engagement with research. I’m proud to be a part of the growing research community within LJMU and the Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, and play an active role in both the Liverpool Neuroscience Group and the International Association for the Study of Affective Touch (IASAT).
Find out more on SomAffect: http://somaffect.org/people/amakdani
Degrees
2014, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, Neuroscience with Psychology (BSc. Hons.)
Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, PhD: The characterisation of myelinated and unmyelinated afferents in normal and neuropathic pain
Academic appointments
Postgraduate Researcher, Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2019 - present
Postgraduate training
SomAffect, United Kingdom, Liverpool John Moores University, 2014 - present
Journal article
Cazzato V, Sacchetti S, Shin S, Makdani A, Trotter PD, McGlone FP. 2021. Affective touch topography and body image. PLoS One, 16 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Dunbar RIM, Pearce E, Tarr B, Makdani A, Bamford J, Smith S, McGlone FP. 2021. Cochlear SGN neurons elevate pain thresholds in response to music. Scientific Reports, 11 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Cazzato V, Sacchetti S, Shin S, Makdani A, Trotter PD, McGlone F. 2020. Topical heterogeneity in affective touch: Does it impact body image? DOI
Devine SL, Walker SC, Makdani A, Stockton ER, McFarquhar MJ, McGlone FP, Trotter PD. 2020. Childhood Adversity and Affective Touch Perception: A Comparison of United Kingdom Care Leavers and Non-care Leavers. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Nagi SS, Marshall AG, Makdani A, Jarocka E, Liljencrantz J, Ridderstrom M, Shaikh S, O'Neill F, Saade D, Donkervoort S, Foley AR, Minde J, Trulsson M, Cole J, Bonnemann CG, Chesler AT, Bushnell MC, McGlone F, Olausson H. 2019. An ultrafast system for signaling mechanical pain in human skin Science Advances, 5 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Moore W, Makdani A, Frier W, McGlone F. Virtual Touch: Sensing and Feeling with Ultrasound DOI
Dataset
Cazzato V, Sacchetti S, Shin S, Makdani A, Trotter P, McGlone F. Affective touch topography and body image
Conference organisation:
Liverpool Neuroscience Group Winter Gala 2019: Fooling The Senses, Organising Committee, https://lng.org.uk/event/lng-winter-gala-2019/. 2019
IASAT 2019: International Association for the Study of Affective Touch, Organising Committee, https://iasat.org/event/iasat2019/. 2019
Liverpool Neuroscience Day 2019, Organising Committee, https://lng.org.uk/event/lnd2019/. 2019
Liverpool Neuroscience Day 2018, https://lng.org.uk/event/lnd2018/. 2018
IASAT 2017: International Association for the Study of Affective Touch, Organising Committee, https://iasat.org/event/2017/09/iasat2017. 2018
Liverpool Neuroscience Day 2016, Organising Committee, https://lng.org.uk/event/lnd2016/. 2016