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
- Gómez Aristizábal, LY, Confortin, SC, Carneiro, JR, Ribeiro, CCC, Batista, RFL, de Britto E Alves, MTSS et al.. Intrauterine growth restriction and sugar consumption at two years of age in the BRISA cohort. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25 (1):305. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-05448-4. PubMed PMID:40247197 .
- Kaplan, LJ, Martinez-Casas, I, Mohseni, S, Cimino, M, Kurihara, H, Lee, MJ et al.. Small bowel obstruction outcomes according to compliance with the World Society of Emergency Surgery Bologna guidelines. Br J Surg. 2025;112 (4):. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znaf080. PubMed PMID:40246692 .
- McClure, M, Kirchner, M, Greenlee, T, Seelman, S, Madad, A, Nsubuga, J et al.. Investigation of Two Outbreaks of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Linked to Fresh and Frozen Strawberries Imported from Mexico - 2022-2023. J Food Prot. 2025; :100505. doi: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100505. PubMed PMID:40246236 .
- Silva, AD, Silveira, BKS, Freitas, BVM, Waskow, K, Hermsdorff, HHM, Silva, WD et al.. Brazil nut consumption within an energy-restricted diet improved cardiometabolic risk markers in women: a quasi-experimental, controlled study (Brazilian Nuts Study). An Acad Bras Cienc. 2025;97 (2):e20240631. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765202520240631. PubMed PMID:40243762 .
- Maimaris, J, Payne, J, Roa-Bautista, A, Breuer, J, Storey, N, Morfopoulou, S et al.. Safety and Diagnostic Utility of Brain Biopsy and Metagenomics in Decision-Making for Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) and Unexplained Neurological Manifestations. J Clin Immunol. 2025;45 (1):86. doi: 10.1007/s10875-025-01878-y. PubMed PMID:40237937 .