Research
Molecular and cellular and systems mechanisms of learning and memory
Appointments
- Distinguished Professor– Neurobiology, Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology
- Director–Integrative Center for Learning and Memory
- Tennenbaum Center for the Biology of Creativity
- Brain Research Institute
- Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology GPB Home Area
- Neuroscience GPB Home Area
Biography
The Silva laboratory is studying the biology of learning and memory. They are interested in the molecular, cellular and circuit processes that underlie the allocation, encoding and storage of information. To accomplish this they are using a variety of techniques including sophisticated molecular and genetic approaches, optical physiology, optogenetics, in vivo imaging and behavioral analysis.
Silva and colleagues have also studied the impact of these mechanisms in animal models of cognitive disorders, including intellectual disabilities. Based on these mechanistic studies, they have developed treatments for Neurofibromatosis type I and Tuberous Sclerosis, that are currently being tested in clinical trials.
The Silva laboratory is also developing bioinformatic strategies for tracking and planning experiments (researchmaps.org).
Publications
- Barros, SC, Cazón, P, Teixeira, JD, Mateus, AR, Vitelli, M, Nicolini, N et al.. Analysis of pesticide residues in pears using the same phytosanitary treatments and grown under the same edaphoclimatic conditions. J Sci Food Agric. 2026; :. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.70863. PubMed PMID:42473700 .
- Antonio, GCF, Pitoli, BS, Macêdo, APA, de Lima, RD, Muñoz, VR, Vieira, RFL et al.. Combined Time-Restricted Feeding and Physical Exercise Attenuate ER Stress and Improve Liver Inflammation and Collagen Deposition in Aged Mice. Cell Biochem Funct. 2026;44 (7):e70272. doi: 10.1002/cbf.70272. PubMed PMID:42473696 .
- Paterson, KL, Bennell, KL, Bryant, A, Li, P, De Silva, AP, Shearer, S et al.. Cushioned Insoles for First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis: Protocol for the SOLE Randomised Controlled Trial. J Foot Ankle Res. 2026;19 (3):e70185. doi: 10.1002/jfa2.70185. PubMed PMID:42470658 .
- Nunes-Costa, D, Silva, A, Alarico, S, Manso, JA, Empadinhas, N, Pereira, PJB et al.. A cryptic aromatic binding pocket in the highly thermostable GpgS from Mycobacterium hassiacum hints at MGLP pathway crosstalk. Protein Sci. 2026;35 (8):e70713. doi: 10.1002/pro.70713. PubMed PMID:42470159 PubMed Central PMC13379784.
- Silva, AA. Recovery Latency as a Dynamic Biomarker of Adaptive Capacity. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2026; :1-10. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2026-0111. PubMed PMID:42468922 .