A protein in spider venom called Hi1a, could play a major role in treating brain injuries in patients who have suffered a stroke.
It has been found by the Scientists t the University of Queensland and Monash University, that one single dose of the protein worked on lab rats
They believe the findings show ‘great promise to treat stroke in the future’.
Deadly Australian funnel spiders are ‘milked’ for the protein, which involves sucking it out via pipettes, before it’s injected into lab rats.
The trials have not yet been conducted on humans (Picture: Getty)
The Hi1a blocked ion channels in the brain, researchers claimed it as a catalysts in brain damage following strokes.
Professor Glenn King, led the study, said: "We believe that we have, for the first time, found a way to minimise the effects of brain damage after a stroke. Hi1a even provides some protection to the core brain region most affected by oxygen deprivation, which is generally considered unrecoverable due to the rapid cell death caused by stroke."
This research is in early stages and has not yet been conducted on humans.
The protein is ‘milked’ from spiders (Picture: Getty)
Post a Comment