^ is right that that is what happens. However it has yet to be shown exactly what Sylar does. Recently, he gained a means to absorb powers by empathy, similar to how Peter used to before Arthur took his original power away. However, when he first cut Clair's head open, Clair asked if he was going to eat her brain, to which Sylar replied, "Clair... that's disgusting."
< is a total nerd, but English, so months behind the American airing of Heroes.