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
- Luchesi, GLS, da Silva, AKF, Chaves, TC, Jassi, FJ. Osteopathic manipulative treatment, pain neuroscience education and clinical hypnosis as pain management interventions in chronic low back pain: a randomized sham-controlled feasibility pilot trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2026;46 :632-640. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.12.032. PubMed PMID:41927231 .
- De Silva, AP, Prabagar, K. Chikungunya-associated rhabdomyolysis: a case series of three patients from Sri Lanka. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2026; :. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trag030. PubMed PMID:41925012 .
- Teddy, TA, Okon-Ben, E, Silva, A, MessinaAlvarez, A, Afonso, L. A Rare Presentation of Subacute Constrictive Pericarditis Secondary to Rhinovirus Infection: A Case Report. Cureus. 2026;18 (3):e104481. doi: 10.7759/cureus.104481. PubMed PMID:41924662 PubMed Central PMC13037556.
- da Silva, AL, Luna, FS, Nogueira, JF, Rosa, DS, de Figueirêdo, PI, da Cruz, BAS et al.. Phenotypical-genetic virulence and resistance in atypical avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. Int Microbiol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s10123-026-00811-6. PubMed PMID:41922898 .
- Morici, JF, Silva, A, Lima-Paiva, I, Pronier, É, Girardeau, G. Dorsoventral hippocampus neural assemblies reactivate during sleep following an aversive experience. Nat Neurosci. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41593-026-02252-w. PubMed PMID:41922515 .