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
- da Silva, MRR, Bazoni, PS, Faria, RJ, da Silva, AM, Meira, EF, Dos Santos, JBR et al.. Exploring the Relationship Between Religion, Health, and Sociodemographic Factors in Brazil During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Relig Health. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s10943-026-02657-8. PubMed PMID:41963726 .
- Setzu, S, Aymerich, E, Fanni, A, Pisano, F, Sias, G, Cannas, B et al.. A procedure for rule extraction from a Self-Organising plasma disruption predictor for JET. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-38318-9. PubMed PMID:41963372 .
- Bertoloni, RR, Barbosa, HE, Silva, AM, Becceneri, AB, da Silva, RS, Iglesias, BA et al.. Synergistic properties of biological interest of a ruthenium(II) compound. Dalton Trans. 2026; :. doi: 10.1039/d5dt02842f. PubMed PMID:41960711 .
- Andrade, TG, Silva, A. Circadian Health Training in Latin America: Translating Chronobiology into Clinical Practice. Sleep Sci. 2026;19 (1):e1-e2. doi: 10.1055/s-0046-1819594. PubMed PMID:41959888 PubMed Central PMC13061536.
- Soares, C, Rodrigues, M, Martins, D, Sousa, P, Cancela, E, Ferreira, MJ et al.. Crohn's Disease Complicated by Undiagnosed Hemophilia A: A Case of Recurrent Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding. ACG Case Rep J. 2026;13 (4):e02065. doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000002065. PubMed PMID:41959600 PubMed Central PMC13061523.