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
- Silva, EMC, Silva, ALP, Gonçalves, LR, Santos, GG, Costa Oliveira, MDS, Machado, RZ et al.. Bivalve mollusks as sentinels: Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii on Maranhão Island in northeastern Brazil. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2026;30 :101241. doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2026.101241. PubMed PMID:42358338 PubMed Central PMC13292464.
- Higa, CML, da Silva, AM, Matricardi, JLDN, Cardoso, AIQ, Martinez, PF. Physical, Psychological, Social Support, Adherence, and Educational Factors Associated With Self-Efficacy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Scoping Review. J Clin Rheumatol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0000000000002377. PubMed PMID:42358123 .
- Barreto, ARR, Valente, APC, Schaeffer, E, de Almeida, VM, Muzitano, MF, Barth, T et al.. Cross-Species Hepatic Metabolism of the Antileishmanial Chalcone NAT22 Generates Metabolites with Predicted Enhanced Affinity for the Parasite Target cTXNPx. Pharmaceutics. 2026;18 (6):. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics18060664. PubMed PMID:42357280 .
- Santos, VOD, Nascimento, MND, Dias, DLS, Santos, RJ, Oliveira, UC, Silva, AAD et al.. Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Stylosanthes spp. Under Water Deficit Conditions. Plants (Basel). 2026;15 (12):. doi: 10.3390/plants15121819. PubMed PMID:42357138 .
- Denk, MA, Rossa, ICM, Gamba, LK, Silva, ACF, Bortolo, JL, Silveira, PCL et al.. Comparative Evaluation of Decellularized Human Amniotic Membrane and Wharton's Jelly in a Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction: Experimental Study. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2026;48 (6):. doi: 10.3390/cimb48060579. PubMed PMID:42353585 .