[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").

[phkahler]

>> DNA epigenetic changes near the synapse are a key part of maintaining the "weight" or strength of that particular connection.

What do you mean by "near the synapse"? Is there DNA outside the nucleus or something? Is there DNA that maps (corresponds to) the synaptic pattern of the neuron?

[RaftPeople]

Yes there is DNA outside the nucleus. The DNA near each synapse gets modified (epigenetic) based on activity in that physical area so it can produce the proper proteins to preserve the state of that synapse over the long term.

Edit: the DNA is in Synaptic Vesicles