How the Nervous System Communicates Across Generations

"These findings go against one of the most basic dogmas in modern biology. It was long thought that brain activity could have absolutely no impact on the fate of the progeny. The Weismann Barrier, also known as the Second Law of Biology, states that inherited information in the germline is supposed to be isolated from environmental influences.

According to the study, this is the first time a mechanism has been identified that can transmit neuronal responses across generations. ...the discovery of a transgenerational transfer of information from the nervous system is a Holy Grail," explains Toker. "The nervous system is unique in its ability to integrate responses about the environment as well as bodily responses. The idea that it could also control the fate of an organism's progeny is stunning. "It would be fascinating to see if specific neuronal activities can impact the inherited information in a way that would give specific advantages to the progeny," Toker adds. "Through this route, parents could potentially transmit information that would be beneficial to the progeny in the context of natural selection. It could therefore potentially influence an organism's evolutionary course."

https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/news/how-the-nervous-system-communicates-across-generations-320363

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