Bioessays February 2021 PMID 33191609

The circle of Willis revisited: Forebrain dehydration sensing facilitated by the anterior communicating artery: How hemodynamic properties facilitate more efficient dehydration sensing in amniotes.

Matija Fenrich, Karlo Habjanovic, Josip Kajan, Marija Heffer

Mentions

7
Peak: 3 in Dec 2021
across 3 sources since Nov 2020

Extended reach

3,945
potential audience

Total likes

2

Video views

47

Mentions per month

Nov 2020 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter4 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions highlight how the hemodynamic properties of the ACoA could have been selected for their role in dehydration detection, with phrases like 'more efficient forebrain detection' and 'survival advantage' demonstrating perceived importance. Words such as 'peculiar' and 'complex behavioral responses' reflect curiosity and cautious enthusiasm about the findings, emphasizing their potential impact on understanding physiology and evolution.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions agree that the article offers a compelling explanation for the evolutionary role of the ACoA in dehydration sensing, supported by comments about selective advantages and functional uniqueness.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate interest, with the discussion referencing specific mechanisms and evolutionary traits, indicating curiosity about the biological implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments include scientific observations and considerations of how these traits may have affected survival, suggesting active but limited engagement beyond basic interest.

ImpactModerate impact

The mention of implications for understanding dehydration and aging hints at potential significance for medical and evolutionary research, though broader societal impact remains understated.

Abstract in brief

  • The paper explores the idea that the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) evolved in early amniotes as a specialized sensor for blood dehydration, taking advantage of its unique position outside the blood-brain barrier.
  • Unlike traditional views that see the ACoA mainly as a backup blood vessel, this research suggests its primary role is to detect osmolarity changes related to dehydration, which would have provided a survival advantage by enabling better regulation of water loss.
  • The study argues that the ACoA's evolutionary emergence was driven by natural selection for dehydration sensing, rather than being a response to arterial blockages or age-related vascular issues, and this function may explain hydration problems in elderly humans today.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Neila Noetic
@EinsteinbyDesig · X

The circle of Willis revisited: Forebrain dehydration sensing facilitated by the anterior communicating artery - Fenrich - 2021 - BioEssays - Wiley Online Library

Dec 9, 2021 · 1 like · 1,291 followers View post →
Neila Noetic
@EinsteinbyDesig · X

MOO

Dec 9, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,291 followers View post →
Neila Noetic
@EinsteinbyDesig · X

RT @EinsteinbyDesig: MOO

Dec 9, 2021 · 1 share · 1,291 followers View post →
Matija Fenrich
@MatijaFenrich · X

The peculiar hemodynamic properties of the ACoA could be selected traits that allowed for more efficient forebrain detection of dehydration and complex behavioral responses to water loss, a major advantage in the survival of early amniotes. https://t.co/p21JvlA2Gu

Nov 18, 2020 · 12 followers View post →

All mentions

Neila Noetic
@EinsteinbyDesig · X

The circle of Willis revisited: Forebrain dehydration sensing facilitated by the anterior communicating artery - Fenrich - 2021 - BioEssays - Wiley Online Library

Dec 9, 2021 · 1 like · 1,291 followers View post →
Neila Noetic
@EinsteinbyDesig · X

RT @EinsteinbyDesig: MOO

Dec 9, 2021 · 1 share · 1,291 followers View post →
Neila Noetic
@EinsteinbyDesig · X

MOO

Dec 9, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,291 followers View post →
Matija Fenrich
@MatijaFenrich · X

The peculiar hemodynamic properties of the ACoA could be selected traits that allowed for more efficient forebrain detection of dehydration and complex behavioral responses to water loss, a major advantage in the survival of early amniotes. https://t.co/p21JvlA2Gu

Nov 18, 2020 · 12 followers View post →
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Reddit

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