Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Research Topic

We focus on studying traumatic spinal cord injury, which results from compressive or traction forces acting on the spine or directly on the spinal cord. Such injuries most commonly occur during traffic accidents, falls, sports injuries, or gunshot and stab wounds associated with acts of violence.

Spinal cord injury causes loss or impairment of function in body parts below the level of damage and often leads to permanent consequences—including loss of sensation, mobility, bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction, chronic pain, or even death. These changes significantly affect the quality of life of affected person, who consequently require complex care and long-term support.

Despite extensive research and the identification of multiple potential therapeutic targets, no effective and clinically validated treatment currently exists. Current approaches to improving patients’ quality of life are mainly limited to rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and supportive care. Further research in this field is therefore essential—not only from a medical but also from an economic and social perspective.

One of the main reasons for the absence of effective therapy lies in the complex nature of the injury itself. Following the primary mechanical trauma, a cascade of pathological processes—known as secondary injury—is triggered, leading to further destruction of neural tissue and deterioration of neurological functions. The extent of this secondary injury is a key limiting factor in spinal cord recovery, yet many of these mechanisms remain insufficiently understood.

Our goal is therefore to reduce the impact of secondary injury and stimulate the natural regenerative mechanisms of nervous tissue through pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The long-term mission of our team is to translate experimental findings into clinical practice and help patients regain as much independence and quality of life as possible.

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Head of the Research Group

Dr. Jaroslav Pavel focuses on research into traumatic spinal cord injury and mechanisms of secondary injury to nerve tissue. He is a member of the editorial board of the journal Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology.

Employees

Title	Name	E-mail	Phone	ORCID
RNDr., PhD.	Bačová Mária		055/ 727 6210
PhDr.	Barkács Zuzana
RNDr., CSc.	Gálik Ján		055/ 727 6200
Mgr.	Hvozdíková Erika
RNDr., PhD.	Ihnátová Lenka
RNDr., PhD.	Ileninová Mária
RNDr., PhD.	Kellerová Erika		055/727 6214
RNDr., PhD.	Kiss Bimbová Katarína		055/ 727 6210
RNDr., PhD.	Kisucká Alexandra		055/ 727 6226
MUDr., PhD.	Kuchárová Karolína
RNDr., PhD.	Kuruc Tomáš
Dr.rer.nat.	Liptáková Veronika
RNDr., DrSc.	Lukáčová Nadežda		055/ 727 6225
RNDr., PhD.	Magurová Martina
RNDr., PhD.	Mucha Rastislav		055/7276234
RNDr., PhD.	Pavel Jaroslav		055/ 727 6221
RNDr., PhD.	Snopková Jana		+421 55 72 76 210
Mgr.	Urbanová Alexandra