[juitpykyk]

Neuron's DNA is not passed down, it would be quite logical for evolution to use neuronal DNA for weight storage.

[londons_explore]

Many nervous system behaviours do appear to be passed through genetics - for example, the ability to breathe, the reflex to avoid pain, etc.

I suspect in the future we might find mechanisms beyond simple natural selection that allowed those mechanisms to get encoded in genetics.

[throwaway4aday]

I think you're talking to the wrong point. These memories aren't being encoded in germ cells, they are after the fact changes to DNA in mature neurons which have completely differentiated. I would think it's very possible at that stage of development for them to add or remove segments of DNA in order to encode new information not related to the development of the cell as long as it didn't interfere too much with parts that are actively used for the ongoing upkeep of cell activity. It would need to alter how the cell functions a little bit for the changes to modify the neuron's ability to process signals though.

[EVa5I7bHFq9mnYK]

Could they be transferred while in the womb?

[phkahler]

>> it would be quite logical for evolution to use neuronal DNA for weight storage.

To pass that down you'd have to replicate the connectivity of the network for the weights to be relevant right?

Related: The article doesn't say which DNA areas are broken and repaired. Nor does it say if they are modified. It seems like encoding weights in DNA would make them more robust but harder to change. If so, there should be a particular region where this is happening. Maybe there's a mapping between certain DNA areas and each synapse. That'd be really interesting.

[RaftPeople]

Independent of this breaking/fixing, it's already known that DNA near the synapse (not necessarily in the neurons Soma) is modified via epigenetics to sustain the synapse at the new level.

So yes, DNA epigenetic changes near the synapse are a key part of maintaining the "weight" or strength of that particular connection. ("key part" phrase because there is a lot of complexity and they haven't nailed it all down, there could be other "key parts").

[juitpykyk]

Neurons are not on the germ line, whatever happens to their DNA is not passed down to your children.

There was another article in the recent years about neurons using RNA or DNA for storing information related to their activation patterns.

[cjbgkagh]

I wonder if that means that each neuron could act as a mini turning machine

[rolisz]

Check out Michael Levin's work, who's done some experiments with skin cell and has shown that they learn to do stuff.

[rolph]

stop wondering and look deeper, youve bumped into the begining of an incredible journey. even individual protiens, exhibit rule paring.