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'Memories' pass between generations | 'Memories' pass between generations |
(3 days later) | |
Behaviour can be affected by events in previous generations which have been passed on through a form of genetic memory, animal studies suggest. | Behaviour can be affected by events in previous generations which have been passed on through a form of genetic memory, animal studies suggest. |
Experiments showed that a traumatic event could affect the DNA in sperm and alter the brains and behaviour of subsequent generations. | Experiments showed that a traumatic event could affect the DNA in sperm and alter the brains and behaviour of subsequent generations. |
A Nature Neuroscience study shows mice trained to avoid a smell passed their aversion on to their "grandchildren". | A Nature Neuroscience study shows mice trained to avoid a smell passed their aversion on to their "grandchildren". |
Experts said the results were important for phobia and anxiety research. | Experts said the results were important for phobia and anxiety research. |
The animals were trained to fear a smell similar to cherry blossom. | The animals were trained to fear a smell similar to cherry blossom. |
The team at the Emory University School of Medicine, in the US, then looked at what was happening inside the sperm. | The team at the Emory University School of Medicine, in the US, then looked at what was happening inside the sperm. |
They showed a section of DNA responsible for sensitivity to the cherry blossom scent was made more active in the mice's sperm. | They showed a section of DNA responsible for sensitivity to the cherry blossom scent was made more active in the mice's sperm. |
Both the mice's offspring, and their offspring, were "extremely sensitive" to cherry blossom and would avoid the scent, despite never having experienced it in their lives. | |
Changes in brain structure were also found. | Changes in brain structure were also found. |
"The experiences of a parent, even before conceiving, markedly influence both structure and function in the nervous system of subsequent generations," the report concluded. | "The experiences of a parent, even before conceiving, markedly influence both structure and function in the nervous system of subsequent generations," the report concluded. |
Family affair | Family affair |
The findings provide evidence of "transgenerational epigenetic inheritance" - that the environment can affect an individual's genetics, which can in turn be passed on. | The findings provide evidence of "transgenerational epigenetic inheritance" - that the environment can affect an individual's genetics, which can in turn be passed on. |
One of the researchers Dr Brian Dias told the BBC: "This might be one mechanism that descendants show imprints of their ancestor. | One of the researchers Dr Brian Dias told the BBC: "This might be one mechanism that descendants show imprints of their ancestor. |
"There is absolutely no doubt that what happens to the sperm and egg will affect subsequent generations." | "There is absolutely no doubt that what happens to the sperm and egg will affect subsequent generations." |
Prof Marcus Pembrey, from University College London, said the findings were "highly relevant to phobias, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders" and provided "compelling evidence" that a form of memory could be passed between generations. | Prof Marcus Pembrey, from University College London, said the findings were "highly relevant to phobias, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders" and provided "compelling evidence" that a form of memory could be passed between generations. |
He commented: "It is high time public health researchers took human transgenerational responses seriously. | He commented: "It is high time public health researchers took human transgenerational responses seriously. |
"I suspect we will not understand the rise in neuropsychiatric disorders or obesity, diabetes and metabolic disruptions generally without taking a multigenerational approach." | "I suspect we will not understand the rise in neuropsychiatric disorders or obesity, diabetes and metabolic disruptions generally without taking a multigenerational approach." |
In the smell-aversion study, is it thought that either some of the odour ends up in the bloodstream which affected sperm production or that a signal from the brain was sent to the sperm to alter DNA. | In the smell-aversion study, is it thought that either some of the odour ends up in the bloodstream which affected sperm production or that a signal from the brain was sent to the sperm to alter DNA. |
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