Deadly spider venom could ward off stroke brain damage, say doctors

Ingredient in funnel web spider venom can protect cells from being destroyed by a stroke, even when given hours after the event, study showsDoctors have stumbled on an unlikely source for a drug to ward off brain damage caused by strokes: the venom of one of the deadliest spiders in the world.A bite from an Australian funnel web spider cankill a human in 15 minutes, but a harmless ingredient found in the venom can protect brain cells from being destroyed by a stroke, even when given hours after the event, scientists say.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Medical research Science Society Spiders Stroke Source Type: news