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
- De Matos Pinto, ASX, Kratochwil, N, Gómez, S, Gascón, D, Correia, P, Veloso, J et al.. Improving CTR with the FastIC ASIC for TOF-PET by overcoming SiPM noise with baseline correction. IEEE Trans Radiat Plasma Med Sci. 2025;9 (7):857-865. doi: 10.1109/trpms.2025.3532794. PubMed PMID:41625955 PubMed Central PMC12858093.
- Lourenço, C, Silva, A, Pinto, M, Afreixo, V, Ruano, L, Costa, H et al.. Facial Floor Measurements at Second Trimester Scan and Relations to Biparietal Diameter and Head Circumference. J Clin Ultrasound. 2026; :. doi: 10.1002/jcu.70189. PubMed PMID:41622584 .
- Neves, ML, Coutinho, BD, Speretta, GFF, Kraus, SI, Ferreira, JB, Amaral, PAH et al.. Laterality-Dependent Biological Effects of Manual Acupuncture Stimulation of the Auricular Vagus Nerve in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial. Pain Med. 2026; :. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnag013. PubMed PMID:41619761 .
- Xu, J, Mahar, RK, Lee, KJ, De Silva, AP, Simpson, JA. Inverse probability weighted estimation of dynamic treatment regimen means in sequential multiple assignment randomised trials with missing data: a simulation study. Trials. 2026; :. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09493-x. PubMed PMID:41618428 .
- da Silva, AC, Paula, DP, Andow, D, Sujii, PS, Camargo, NF, Togni, PHB et al.. Life-stage niche partitioning and functional strategies promote predatory coccinellids' co-occurrence. Oecologia. 2026;208 (2):26. doi: 10.1007/s00442-026-05866-w. PubMed PMID:41617836 PubMed Central PMC12858511.