By Aidan Wondracz For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 02:01 BST, 2 April 2019 | Updated: 02:45 BST, 2 April 2019
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Venom from one of the world's most dangerous spiders could have the potential to reduce the severity of a stroke, according to one scientist.
Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience professor Glenn King said a molecule found in the Fraser Island funnel-web's venom could inhibit damage to the brain.
'Venoms are extremely complicated mixtures of ion-channel modulators, in this case the spider venom shuts off a specific ion pathway in the brain that is responsible for triggering massive cell death after stroke,' professor King told ABC Radio Brisbane.
'You can't stop neurons that have already died, but you could give this drug eight hours after stroke and still get massive protection of the brain.'
Venom from one of the world's most dangerous spiders could have the potential to reduce the severity of a stroke, according to one scientist (pictured, stock image of funnel-web spider)
Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience professor Glenn King (pictured) said a molecule found in the Fraser Island funnel-web's venom could slow damage to the brain
Strokes are the third biggest killer in Australia, with more than 56,000 people suffering one in 2017, according to The Stroke Foundation.
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