March 22, 2017.
According to a study conducted by a team of scientists at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland, Australia, spider venom may protect the brain after a stroke.
Minimize the effects of stroke on the brain
You’ll never look at spiders the same way again: a team of Australian researchers have just discovered that the venom of a spider, called Hadronyche infensa, was able to block the mechanism responsible for damage to the brain of patients after stroke and could thus in ” minimize devastating effects “.
After a stroke, certain central regions of the brain which have been deprived of oxygen, in fact suffer irreparable damage. If the researchers were interested in this spider whose venom is extremely dangerous, it is because this venom has a protein, called Hi1a, whose neuroprotective properties would be surprising. Tested on human cells, then on rats having suffered a stroke, it has proven its effectiveness.
Protect certain parts of the brain
According to this work, published in Proceedings of the American Academy of Sciences (PNAS), this protein could indeed protect certain parts of the brain. ” This protein protects brain tissue and greatly improves neurological performance, up to eight hours after a stroke», Said Professor Glenn King who took part in the work.
The molecule synthesized by the researchers will have to be tested on humans, during clinical trials, to hope to be marketed quickly. “This world first could help us provide better treatments for stroke patients by limiting the effects in the brain and the disability caused by this severe trauma Added Glenn King. Case to follow.
Marine Rondot
Read also: Aspirin, a miracle product after a stroke?
