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
- Farooque, U, da Silva, ABN, Campos, LR, de Farias Santos, ACF, Gadelha, MSM, de Oliveira, GM et al.. Financial incentives for weight management in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2026; :. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2026.03.007. PubMed PMID:41991471 .
- Arcanjo, GS, Silva, AP, Diniz, MV, Domingos, IF, Pereira-Martins, DA, Araújo, AB et al.. A genetic risk score based on BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB variants predicts clinical severity in Brazilian sickle cell anaemia patients. Br J Haematol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1111/bjh.70489. PubMed PMID:41989145 .
- Sampaio, AL, Silva, Á, Limão, Y, Bezerra, L, Braz, J. Book Club at a medical school in the Sertão Region of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. J Med Libr Assoc. 2026;114 (2):143-150. doi: 10.5195/jmla.2026.2177. PubMed PMID:41988356 PubMed Central PMC13077573.
- Andias, R, Nunes, C, Leão, S, Frey-Law, L, Balula, A, Silva, AG et al.. Reliability and Validity of the European Portuguese Version of the Multisensory Amplification Scale in Adolescents. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2026; :1-20. doi: 10.1080/01942638.2026.2654617. PubMed PMID:41987762 .
- da Silva, AFS, de Freitas, GA, Silva, DAL, de Paiva, JMF, Campolina, JM, da Silva Moris, VA et al.. Towards environmental management of WEEE in Brazil: evaluating the impacts of recycling plastics. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37732-w. PubMed PMID:41986827 .