RNDr. Martin Čente, PhD
The Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology investigates the mechanisms underlying neuronal degeneration in the central nervous system and factors that drive the progression of degenerative changes.
A history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant risk factor for the development of neurocognitive disorders later in life. Recent research indicates that lifetime exposure to non-concussive repetitive head impacts in contact sports may also pose a risk. However, the molecular signaling and pathophysiological mechanisms associated with this phenomenon are not fully understood. The main aim of the research is to understand the acute and longitudinal effects of concussive and non-concussive head impacts on brain signaling and neurobehavioral outcomes in contact-sport athletes.
The research methods include transcriptomic profiling of microRNA and gene expression in tissues and circulating biofluids using NGS and qPCR arrays techniques. The analytical workflow is coupled with optimized RNA extraction methods, RNA integrity assessment, sensitive quantitation of biomolecules, and state-of-the-art bioinformatics. The implementation of multi-omic approaches (proteomics and metabolomics), in collaboration with other labs at the Institute of Neuroimmunology, enables a comprehensive exploration of molecular signaling associated with head-impact exposure.
The group has intensive national and international collaborations. These include the cooperation with the team of Assoc. Prof Pavol Peráček at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (Comenius University Bratislava), the team of Prof. Marek Majdan at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Work (Trnava University), Prof. Inga K Koerte at the cBRAIN, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (Germany), and Assistant Prof. Jerome Badaut at the CNRS-University La Rochelle (France).
Lab Members
Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Peter Filipčík, PhD
RNDr. Katarína Mátyásová, PhD
MSc. Michaela Škrabanová, PhD
MSc. Barbora Mesarošová (PhD student)
MSc. René Beláček (PhD student)
Stanislava Mandáková (technician)
Projects – funding
Novel biomarkers and signaling pathways in concussion and subconcussive repetitive head impacts
Project No. APVV-24-0530
Duration: 09/2025 – 08/2028
MiRNA profiling in 3D tumoroid models: a powerful platform for targeted mammary cancer therapy in dogs
Project No. APVV-24-0026
Duration: 09/2025 – 08/2029
Physical, mental and social factors as attributes of health and quality of life of male and female athletes in terms of traumatic brain injury
Project No. APVV-25-0807
Duration: 09/2026 – 08/2029
Multilevel Impacts of Traumatic Brain Injury in Slovakia: Individual, Family, and Societal Dimensions
Project No. APVV-25-0665
Duration: 09/2026 – 08/2029
MicroRNAs as biomarkers of subconcussive head impacts in soccer
Project No. VEGA 2/0070/26
Duration: 2026 – 2029
Publications
Cente M, Perackova J, Peracek P, Majdan M, Toth I, Mikulic M, Hanes J, Porubska S, Spajdel M, Kazickova B, Jurisica I, Filipcik P. Association of Nonconcussive Repetitive Head Impacts and Intense Physical Activity With Levels of Phosphorylated Tau181 and Total Tau in Plasma of Young Elite Soccer Players. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Mar 1;6(3):e236101.
Cente M, Perackova J, Peracek P, Majdan M, Toth I, Mikulic M, Hanes J, Spajdel M, Sivco P, Skrabanova M, Skrabana R, Jurisica I, Filipcik P. Changes in peripheral blood and cognitive performance after nonconcussive head impacts in elite female soccer players. Commun Med (Lond). 2025 Oct 7;5(1):417.
Koerte IK, Wiegand TLT, Bonke EM, Sandmo SK, Kaufmann D, Seer C, Betz AK, De Luca A, Seitz-Holland J, Muehlmann M, Cente M, Elad D, Monteiro TS, Schwarz-Mörtl B, Gaubert M, Kaufmann E, Bonfert MV, Heinen F, Lin AP, Shenton ME, Tripodis Y, Bahr R, Filipcik P, Gooijers J, Leemans A, Sochen N, Swinnen SP, Pasternak O; REPIMPACT Consortium Investigators. Youth Soccer Participation and Brain Health Outcomes in Adolescent Athletes. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jun 1;9(6):e2619569.
Dahlén SC, Bjørneboe J, Sandmo SK, Bache-Mathisen L, Filipcik P, Howe EI, Høgestøl EA, Selbæk G, Straume-Næsheim T, Westlye LT, Bahr R, Andersen TE. Brain health in Norwegian female former top-level football players: a protocol for a longitudinal cohort study. BMJ Open. 2025 Jan 11;15(1):e092456.
Cente M, Matyasova K, Csicsatkova N, Tomikova A, Porubska S, Niu Y, Majdan M, Filipcik P, Jurisica I. Traumatic MicroRNAs: Deconvolving the Signal After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2023 Apr;43(3):1061-1075.
Sandmo SB, Matyasova K, Filipcik P, Cente M, Koerte IK, Pasternak O, Andersen TE, Straume-Næsheim TM, Bahr R, Jurisica I. Changes in circulating microRNAs following head impacts in soccer. Brain Inj. 2022 Mar 21;36(4):560-571.
Koerte IK, Bahr R, Filipcik P, Gooijers J, Leemans A, Lin AP, Tripodis Y, Shenton ME, Sochen N, Swinnen SP, Pasternak O; REPIMPACT Consortium Investigators. REPIMPACT – a prospective longitudinal multisite study on the effects of repetitive head impacts in youth soccer. Brain Imaging Behav. 2022 Feb;16(1):492-502.
Sandmo SB, Filipcik P, Cente M, Hanes J, Andersen TE, Straume-Naesheim TM, Bahr R. Neurofilament light and tau in serum after head-impact exposure in soccer. Brain Inj. 2020 Apr 15;34(5):602-609.
Matyasova K, Csicsatkova N, Filipcik P, Jurisica I, Cente M. Peripheral microRNA alteration and pathway signaling after mild traumatic brain injury. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2021 Nov;40(6):523-539.
Majdan M, Toth I, Barila P, Peracek P, Perackova J, Parnican S, Cente M, Filipcik P. Head impacts in youth national hockey leagues in Slovakia: a retrospective analysis of four seasons. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2021 Nov;40(6):569-576.
Horvath M, Skrabanova M, Cente M, Hanes J, Kebis A, Zorad S, Filipcik P. Endurance Exercise Attenuates Plasma Level of Neurofilament Light Chain and Prevents Body Weight Loss in a Rat Model of Tauopathy. Physiol Res. 2025 Dec 15;74(6):1021-1026.
Durgala A, Horvath M, Skrabanova M, Cente M, Filipcik P. Anxiety-like behaviour in mice after mild repetitive head impacts during the subacute phase. Front Behav Neurosci. 2026 Jun 2;20:1839876.