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
- Costa, DS, de Araújo Pereira Júnior, J, Dos Santos, PC, Libanori, MCM, Dos Santos, GG, de Souza, AP et al.. Correction: Supplementing the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata and Phaeodactylum tricornutum enhanced immune function, lipid profile, and resistance to Edwardsiella tarda infection. Vet Res Commun. 2026;50 (4):. doi: 10.1007/s11259-026-11267-4. PubMed PMID:42133135 .
- Silva, APA, Dos Santos, EA, Frazão, DR, Dos Santos, VRN, Matos-Sousa, JM, Peinado, BR et al.. N-acetylcysteine mitigates oxidative stress and reduces alveolar bone damage on experimental periodontitis in rats. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s00210-026-05421-7. PubMed PMID:42133068 .
- Selwyn, A, Da Silva, A. Supporting neurodiversity in surgery: Exploring the experiences of dyslexic ENT trainees and their trainers. Clin Teach. 2026;23 (3):e70442. doi: 10.1111/tct.70442. PubMed PMID:42130442 .
- NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Obesity rise plateaus in developed nations and accelerates in developing nations. Nature. 2026;653 (8114):510-518. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10383-0. PubMed PMID:42129527 .
- da Silva Martins, AL, Malavazzi, TCDS, de Siqueira E Silva, RT, Kassa, CT, Shaker, M, Silva, AS et al.. Effects of photobiomodulation on the differentiation, viability, and migration of C2C12 myoblasts exposed to different concentrations of dexamethasone. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-52078-6. PubMed PMID:42129428 .