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
- Harding, C, Da Silva, A, Khasriya, R, Khullar, V, Lombardo, R, Malde, S et al.. Is There Adequate Evidence for Intracellular Bacteria Being a Significant Cause of rUTIs and Thereby Justifying Targeted Treatments Such as Bladder Fulguration or Intravesical Therapies? ICI-RS 2025. Neurourol Urodyn. 2025; :. doi: 10.1002/nau.70200. PubMed PMID:41347333 .
- Hernandez, S, da Silva, A, Tipping, C, Deane, A, Levy, C, Hodgson, C et al.. A qualitative exploration of perceived barriers, facilitators and preferences of early mobilisation after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Disabil Rehabil. 2025; :1-14. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2597310. PubMed PMID:41347284 .
- Moreira, SM, Teófilo, V, Ribeiro, R, Pinelas, S, Miller, M, Silva, AF et al.. Pronator teres syndrome in an occupational setting: a case report. Porto Biomed J. 2025;10 (6):e314. doi: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000314. PubMed PMID:41346720 PubMed Central PMC12674158.
- Borigato, EVM, Dias, BLS, Imamura, EU, de Oliveira, SB, Arci, ECP, de Carvalho, AL et al.. Cerebral palsy in Brazil: A multicentre, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2025; :. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.70080. PubMed PMID:41345054 .
- GBD 2023 Child Growth Failure Collaborators. Quantifying the fatal and non-fatal burden of disease associated with child growth failure, 2000-2023: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2026;10 (1):22-38. doi: 10.1016/S2352-4642(25)00303-7. PubMed PMID:41344792 .