Silva, Alcino J., Ph.D.

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

1. Moraes, BF, Leitão, CVFS, Rodrigues, VMS, Dressler, HB, Paixão, JC, da Silva, ABN et al.. Vitamin D and the Risk of Stress Fractures in Athletes and Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2026; :3635465261441254. doi: 10.1177/03635465261441254. PubMed PMID:42226402 .
2. Canarutto, D, Fiumara, M, Venkatesan, V, Gaddoni, C, Shiroshita, K, Varesi, A et al.. Selection of human hematopoietic stem cells bearing the intended functional edit by transient AND-gate reporters. Nat Biotechnol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41587-026-03142-z. PubMed PMID:42225947 .
3. Tomé, AR, Real, JE, Rial, D, Silva, AC, Gonçalves, FQ, Lemos, C et al.. The antidepressant-like effect of adenosine A₁ receptor over-expression in forebrain neurons does not involve an altered adenosine-mediated control of excitatory synaptic transmission. Neuropharmacology. 2026; :111056. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2026.111056. PubMed PMID:42225242 .
4. Hilpert, M, Ilievski, V, Nguyen, KN, Petropoulou-Vathi, L, Arthur, MAB, Silva, A et al.. Generation of Substantially Metal-Reduced but Aldehyde-Rich Aerosol for E-Cigarette Toxicity Studies. J Vis Exp. 2026; (231):. doi: 10.3791/70694. PubMed PMID:42224143 .
5. da Silva, JV, da Silva, RC, Ferreira, RGDS, da Silva, AJ, da Silva, IBS, Dos Santos, AMR et al.. Microscopic and computational analysis of the stomach, duodenum, and liver of rats with induced hyperprolactinemia treated with exogenous melatonin. Front Vet Sci. 2026;13 :1709295. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1709295. PubMed PMID:42221945 PubMed Central PMC13215833.

Search PubMed