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 Freitas, RA, Nepomuceno, V, da Silva, AG, Baldaçara, L. The funding of hospital beds allocated to the care of psychiatric patients in a general hospital located in Palmas, Tocantins. Braz J Psychiatry. 2026; :. doi: 10.47626/1516-4446-2026-4868. PubMed PMID:42412980 .
- Silva, A, Gonçalves, PL, Capela, L, Rocha, L, Tavares, I, Fernandes, S et al.. Clinical and Genetic Epidemiology of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease among patients incident on first kidney replacement therapy between 1990-2023, in a major hospital in the Northwest of Portugal. Nephron. 2026; :1-21. doi: 10.1159/000550753. PubMed PMID:42412748 .
- Zauli, RC, Silva, ACLN, Sartorelli, P, Rando, DG, Pascoal, ACRF, Xander, P et al.. Leishmanicidal Potential of Eugenia pyriformis Cambess. (Myrtaceae) Leaf Extracts: Metabolomics and Mechanism of Action. Chem Biodivers. 2026;23 (7):e71471. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.71471. PubMed PMID:42407029 .
- Chen, X, Silva, A, Retnavarathan, F, Niechwiej-Szwedo, E, Gao, X, Maurer, D et al.. A Battery of Quantitative Binocular Vision Tests for Adults: Testing Protocols. J Vis Exp. 2026; (232):. doi: 10.3791/70954. PubMed PMID:42406850 .
- da Silva, AFS, da Silva Bastos, YC, Oikawa, JT, Sant'Anna, AEVE, Cunha, GG, de Morais, CNL et al.. HTLV-1 infection in patients with neurological manifestations in Northeast Brazil. J Neurovirol. 2026;32 (4):. doi: 10.1007/s13365-026-01322-w. PubMed PMID:42406190 .