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
- Liu, T, Chen, L, Liu, L, Liu, Y, Ma, L, Billot, L et al.. Impact of Ultraearly Perioperative Antihypertensive Therapy in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Stroke. 2026; :. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.053989. PubMed PMID:41873543 .
- Di-Bonaventura, S, Gurdiel-Álvarez, F, Reina-Varona, Á, Cuenca-Martínez, F, Fernández-Carnero, J, Grande-Alonso, M et al.. Toward a Shared Framework for Therapeutic Pain Education: A Delphi-Based International Consensus. Phys Ther. 2026; :. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzag029. PubMed PMID:41870510 .
- de Campos Costa, MA, Macedo Fraiz, G, Rezende Cardoso, R, da Silva, A, da Silva Duarte, V, Soares Gazzinelli Cruz, CE et al.. Regular black tea kombucha consumption is associated with improved insulin resistance and increased ADIPOQ expression in adults with obesity: a pre-post clinical trial. Food Funct. 2026; :. doi: 10.1039/d5fo02226f. PubMed PMID:41870392 .
- Silva, A, Vaughn, I, Chizk, TM, Nelson, L, Johns, C, Thompson, E et al.. A Single Genomic Region Controls Primocane Fruiting in Tetraploid Blackberry. Genetics. 2026; :. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyag078. PubMed PMID:41870204 .
- Silva, AA, Queiroz, VAV, Pena, FB, de Menezes, CB, Felisberto, MHF, Toledo, RCL et al.. The Incorporation of Sorghum and Cowpea Protein Isolate Into Plant-Based Burgers Improved Their Physicochemical and Sensory Properties. J Food Sci. 2026;91 (3):e70953. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.70953. PubMed PMID:41866328 PubMed Central PMC13006479.