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
- Bampi, JVB, Salindri, AD, Gonçalves, IB, Coene, JS, Croda, MG, da Silva, AM et al.. Factors associated with tuberculosis symptom reporting among persons deprived of liberty in Brazil during active case finding: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Public Health. 2026;4 (2):e004706. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2025-004706. PubMed PMID:42344063 PubMed Central PMC13289293.
- de Sousa Gomes, B, da Fonsêca, BMB, Galvão, LRL, de Carvalho, BEL, Fernandes, PHE, da Silva Sousa, E et al.. Syagrus coronata fixed oil attenuates inflammation, oxidative stress and pulmonary alterations in L-arginine-induced pancreatitis. Inflammopharmacology. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s10787-026-02300-8. PubMed PMID:42343003 .
- de Moraes, BPT, da Silva, KP, Moraes-de-Souza, I, Souza Gomes-Reis, GL, Saraiva, JSG, Costa, MF et al.. DHA-loaded nanocapsules enhance microcirculation and reduce inflammation in sepsis experimental model. Biomed Pharmacother. 2026;201 :119651. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2026.119651. PubMed PMID:42341588 .
- Gonzalez McCawley, F, Munoz-Venturelli, P, Navia González, V, Chamorro Sandoval, C, Urrutia Goldsack, F, Del Río, A et al.. Exploratory study to identify facilitators and barriers for implementing a multiplatform communication app for prehospital screening and transfer follow-up in acute stroke. Medwave. 2026;26 (5):e3196. doi: 10.5867/medwave.2026.05.3196. PubMed PMID:42341329 .
- Nguyen, L, Silva, AE, Poppe, T, Leung, M, Alsweiler, JM, Black, J et al.. Parietal thickness predicts middle temporal area (V5) motion responses in 7-year-old children born very preterm. Cereb Cortex. 2026;36 (6):. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhag089. PubMed PMID:42341186 .