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
- Pires, MM, Tavares, V, Ferreira, T, Silva, ACL, de Melo, IG, Medeiros, R et al.. IGF-1 axis: The signalling bond in cancer-associated thrombosis and cachexia?. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s11239-026-03342-z. PubMed PMID:42377679 .
- Pereira, TCR, Silva, ATF, Mantovani, MM, Deconte, SR, Ferreira, BA, da Guarda Pinto, MM et al.. Effects of Low-Intensity Aaerobic Training on Cardiac Dysfunction and Myocardial Fibrosis Induced by Doxorubicin in Wistar Rats. Cardiovasc Toxicol. 2026;26 (7):. doi: 10.1007/s12012-026-10150-7. PubMed PMID:42377634 .
- Freitas, MB, Janizello, GP, Silva, WP, Oliveira, LC, Soares, VEA, Silva, ACD et al.. Utilizing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to Describe Quality-of-Life Assessment in Older Adults in a Middle-Income Country. Physiother Res Int. 2026;31 (3):e70271. doi: 10.1002/pri.70271. PubMed PMID:42377368 .
- Moraes de Oliveira, G, Zotter, S, Tao, B, Silva, ABND, Mascarenhas, M, B G Leite, C et al.. Artificial intelligence demonstrates comparable diagnostic accuracy to radiologists for anterior cruciate ligament tears on MRI: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2026; :. doi: 10.1002/ksa.70478. PubMed PMID:42377343 .
- Andrade, YCC, de Sousa, CP, da Silva, AKM, Soares, LV, Cunha, MERO, Maia, SR et al.. A rare case of concurrent renal agenesis and Ectopia in a feline system. Open Vet J. 2026;16 (3):1941-1946. doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i3.49. PubMed PMID:42376111 PubMed Central PMC13313955.