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
- de França, ACL, Ribeiro, MD, Meireles, ACF, Toscano, LT, Maia, LA, Cartaxo, CGB et al.. Redox Profile, Inflammatory and Cardiac Autonomic Nervous Activity of Children and Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis. Pediatr Int. 2026;68 (1):e70448. doi: 10.1111/ped.70448. PubMed PMID:42324496 .
- da Silva, AC, Alves, LMM, Jalkh, EBB, Junqueira, JC, Campos, TMB, Bottino, MA et al.. Fatigue lifetime and microbial inhibition at the implant-abutment interface of 5Y-PSZ zirconia abutments coated with experimental glass. Dent Mater. 2026; :. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2026.06.009. PubMed PMID:42323224 .
- de Alencar Camacho, ELC, Carneiro, PMA, Loretto, SC, de Oliveira, RP, Silva, AM, Besegato, JF et al.. Do polyphenol-rich solutions derived from tropical fruit seeds protect dentin against erosive-abrasive challenges?. Clin Oral Investig. 2026;30 (7):. doi: 10.1007/s00784-026-06961-1. PubMed PMID:42322451 .
- Shi, Y, Silva, A, Debuy, C, Ghosh, S, McConkey, H, Schot, R et al.. Delineating the clinical and molecular spectrum of the neurodevelopmental disorder associated with SET. Genet Med. 2026; :102637. doi: 10.1016/j.gim.2026.102637. PubMed PMID:42322191 .
- Almeida, RLJ, Santos, NC, de Souza Ferreira, IL, da Silva, AM, Muniz, CES, de Sousa, ABB et al.. Mechanisms of starch structural reorganization induced by freeze-thaw techniques under mild osmotic stress. Int J Biol Macromol. 2026; :153115. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153115. PubMed PMID:42320819 .