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
- do Nascimento, GOB, Oliveira, DN, Mota, TO, Oliveira, S, Sachett, A, Silva, AV et al.. Acute compartment syndrome in Bothrops atrox envenomation: a case-control study in the Brazilian Amazon. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2026;32 :e20250039. doi: 10.1590/1678-9199-JVATITD-2025-0039. PubMed PMID:41641359 PubMed Central PMC12867596.
- Silva, AKXG, Medeiros, I, Mamede, JP, Trajano, AC, Costa, TIDS, de Sousa, ALM et al.. Effect of protein-rich diet and the tamarind trypsin inhibitor on behavioral disorders in obese zebrafish. Front Nutr. 2025;12 :1706938. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1706938. PubMed PMID:41640743 PubMed Central PMC12864065.
- Santiago, IB, da Silva, AA, Nóbrega, ILP, de Melo, MMF, Neto, JMC, Amadei, LP et al.. Leukodystrophy-like phenotype in early-onset neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus: Case series and systematic review of the literature. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2026; :. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2026.01.004. PubMed PMID:41638970 .
- Nehme, TM, Dos Santos Silva, E, Barbosa, JL, da Silva, AVRF, Santos, CR, de Oliveira, CPM et al.. Ecotoxicological impact of removing pharmaceutical residues from aqueous solutions using recycled ultrafiltration membranes. Sci Total Environ. 2026;1017 :181499. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181499. PubMed PMID:41638066 .
- Silva, AR, Santos, M, Coelho, A, Condeço, R, Alpendre, F, Ambrósio, P et al.. Expectant management as a primary approach for asymptomatic endometrial polyps: An ambispective cohort study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2026;319 :114986. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2026.114986. PubMed PMID:41637906 .