Spider Venom Peptide Could Prevent Stroke-Induced Brain Damage

Researchers found that the peptide Hi1a - present in the venom of the Australian funnel web spider - blocks ion channels in the brain that play a role in stroke-induced brain damage.

Study leader Prof. Glenn King, of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland in Australia, and colleagues recently published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year. Of these, 610,000 are first-time strokes.

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the U.S., with more than half of stroke survivors aged 65 and older experiencing reduced mobility as a result.

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