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
- Silva, AC, Alves, D, Barbosa-Breda, J. Initial aqueous suppressant therapy after glaucoma drainage device implantation: a systematic review. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s00417-026-07367-1. PubMed PMID:42390570 .
- Pereira, F, Pinto, C, Myra, RS, da Rosa, TC, da Silva, AP, Calegare, BM et al.. Does the Type of Online Group-based Exercise Influence the Feasibility of Telerehabilitation in People with Parkinson's Disease? A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Telerehabil. 2026;18 (1):6748. doi: 10.63144/ijt.2026.6748. PubMed PMID:42389616 PubMed Central PMC13321846.
- Cheok, T, Pajnic, V, Vermeir, JF, Toh, Y, Wu, A, Zaman, T et al.. Prevalence and Implications of Incidental Findings on Computed Tomography Scans Performed for Mako Robotic Arm-Assisted Joint Arthroplasty. JB JS Open Access. 2026;11 (3):. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.25.00245. PubMed PMID:42389457 PubMed Central PMC13322469.
- Alshami, J, Wu, G, Garduño, BM, Silva, AC, Rizzo, SJS, Cogram, P et al.. Meeting report for the Second International Conference on Unconventional Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease and Aging (UAMAA 2026). Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2026;12 (3):e70281. doi: 10.1002/trc2.70281. PubMed PMID:42388534 PubMed Central PMC13319405.
- Fade, J, Roux, A, Breton Vicente, A, Sorrente, B, Grillot, F, Da Silva, A et al.. Analytical solution of the radiative transfer equation of light radiance in a turbid slab with an inner-medium source under the P3-1D approximation. Opt Express. 2026;34 (13):23586-23610. doi: 10.1364/OE.599850. PubMed PMID:42387709 .