Department of Neuroscience

Research Topic

The research in the Department of Neuroscience covers a number of issues related to the brain mechanisms of pathogenesis of various diseases. We are examining the role of neuropeptides and neuromodulators in the brain development. We study interactions between the brain and peripherally localized tumors. We investigate mechanisms and pathways responsible for modulatory effects of the brain on proliferation of cancer cells in animal cancer models. We use a variety in vitro techniques and animal models including stress paradigms in the context of immunomodulation for potential application for pharmacotherapy interventions in psychopathologies.

The main research topis are:

    • Neuropeptides in brain development
    • Brain interaction with peripheral tumours
    • Effects of antipsychotics in the brain

Research Team

jan-bakos

RNDr. Ján Bakoš, PhD.

Head of Department

02/ 32295 232

Jan Bakos 

MSc (2002), Dr. rer. Nat (2004), PhD (2007) 

Since 2011: Independent Researcher (IIa) at Inst. Exp. Endo. Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Since 2015: Head, Laboratory of Neurohumoral Regulation, Inst. Exp. Endo. Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Expertise: neuroendocrinology, neurodevelopment, neuronal cytoskeleton, primary and immortalized neuronal cultures

The work of my team is focused on the investigation of developmental effects of neuropeptides. Specifically, our efforts are devoted to differentiation of neuronal cells and evaluation of neuronal cytoskeleton under influence of oxytocin. The research has led to the discovery that oxytocin in early stages of development has sex-dependent effects on markers of brain plasticity.

Mgr. Bačová Zuzana, PhD

Mgr. Havránek Tomáš, PhD

Mgr. Horváthová Ľubica, PhD

RNDr. Kiss Alexander, DrSc.

Mgr. Lauková Marcela, PhD

Mgr. Majerčíková Zuzana, PhD

MUDr. Mravec Boris, PhD, Prof.

MVDr. Ondičová Katarína, PhD

RNDr. Osacká Jana, PhD

PharmDr. Pirník Zdeno, PhD

MGr. Srančíková Annamária, PhD

MUDr. Štrbák Vladimír, DrSc.

Ing. Tillinger Andrej, PhD

Ing. Vargovič Peter, PhD

PhD students:

Mgr. Szelle Černáčková Alena

Mgr. Padová Alexandra

Ing. Reichová Alexandra

Mgr. Rokytová Ivana

Mgr. Zaťková Martina

Technicians:

Janatová Katarína

Projects

  • APVV-15-0205   Alterations in neuritogenesis related to neurodevelopment – RNDr. Ján Bakoš, PhD. 06/2016 -12/2019
  • APVV-15-0037   Investigation of anatomical-functional differences between the effects of aripiprazole and quetiapine, atypical antipsychotics with simiral terapeutic indications, but different impact on brain dopaminergic receptors, in experimental animals – RNDr. Alexander Kiss, DrSc, 06/2016- 12/2020
  • APVV-SK-FR-2017-0012 Oxytocin role in the regulation of expression of GTPases in transgenic mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorder – RNDr. Ján Bakoš, PhD. 01/2018 – 12/2019
  • VEGA 2/0028/16  The role of the nervous system in etiopathogenesis of experimental melanoma- Mgr. Ľubica Horváthová, PhD.  01/2016 – 12/2018
  • VEGA 2/0016/16 Neuroendocrine effects on synaptogenesis during the brain development – RNDr. Ján Bakoš, PhD. 1/2016 – 12/2018
  • VEGA 2/0031/16   Investigation of the acute and repeated asenapine (ASE) treatments on the activity of neurons in extrastriatal brain areas, identification of activated neurons fenotype, and unclosing whether chronic mild stress preconditioning may alter the effect of ASE – RNDr. Alexander Kiss, DrSc. 01/2016 – 12/2018
  • VEGA 2/0038/18  Signaling pathways of morphological changes in neuronal cells – Mgr. Zuzana Bačová, PhD.     01/2018 – 12/2020

Publications

    • Vargovic P, Laukova M, Ukropec J, Manz G, Kvetnansky R. Prior Repeated Stress Attenuates Cold-Induced Immunomodulation Associated with “Browning” in Mesenteric Fat of Rats. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2017 Aug 11. doi: 10.1007/s10571-017-0531-z. [Epub ahead of print]
    • Mravec B, Horvathova L, Padova A. Brain Under Stress and Alzheimer’s Disease. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2017 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s10571-017-0521-1. [Epub ahead of print]
    • Scsukova S, Bujnakova MA, Kiss A, Rollerova E. Adverse eff ects of polymeric nanoparticle poly(ethylene glycol)- block-polylactide methyl ether (PEG-b-PLA) on steroid hormone secretion by porcine granulosa cells. Endocr Regul. 2017 Apr 25;51(2):96-104. doi: 10.1515/enr-2017-0009.
    • Zatkova M, Reichova A, Bacova Z, Strbak V, Kiss A, Bakos J. Neurite Outgrowth Stimulated by Oxytocin Is Modulated by Inhibition of the Calcium Voltage-Gated Channels. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2017 May 10. doi: 10.1007/s10571-017-0503-3. [Epub ahead of print]
    • Osacka J, Horvathova L, Majercikova Z, Kiss A. Effect of a single asenapine treatment on Fos expression in the brain catecholamine-synthesizing neurons: impact of a chronic mild stress preconditioning. Endocr Regul. 2017 Apr 25;51(2):73-83. doi: 10.1515/enr-2017-0007.
    • Lestanova Z, Puerta F, Alanazi M, Bacova Z, Kiss A, Castejon AM, Bakos J. Downregulation of Oxytocin Receptor Decreases the Length of Projections Stimulated by Retinoic Acid in the U-87MG Cells. Neurochem Res. 2017 Apr;42(4):1006-1014.
    • Bakos J, Zatkova M, Bacova Z, Ostatnikova D. The Role of Hypothalamic Neuropeptides in Neurogenesis and Neuritogenesis. Neural Plast. 2016;2016:3276383.
    • Bakos J, Bacova Z, Grant SG, Castejon AM, Ostatnikova D. Are Molecules Involved in Neuritogenesis and Axon Guidance Related to Autism Pathogenesis? Neuromolecular Med. 2015 Sep;17(3):297-304.
    • Horvathova L, Tillinger A, Sivakova I, Mikova L, Mravec B, Bucova M. Chemical sympathectomy increases neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in tumor-bearing rats but does not influence cancer progression. J Neuroimmunol. 2015 Jan 15;278:255-61.