Killer spider joins good cause in fighting stroke
Up till now no drugs were available to shield the brain from lethal or disabling trauma after a stroke. But there is hope: researchers have found an unlikely ally — a deadly spider that can kill a human in 15 minutes.
In 10 seconds? Strokes cut the flow of oxygen and boost acidity in the brain, wiping out a great number of cells. A recent study shows that up to 80% of brain cells can be saved by using the venom of a dangerous Australian spider. (Read the science here)
Wow, which spider is this? And how come it can save lives? ‘Saving lives’ is not what the Australian funnel web spider’s famous for. This 8-legged freak can dispatch you to the underworld in 15 minutes. However, it turns out, this killer has got a kind side: its vicious venom contains a molecule, Hi1a, that can shield the human brain from most damage after a stroke. (Read more about stroke here)
Hiya, Hi1a, so how do you work? Cutting off the flow of oxygen, stroke sends the brain into self-protecting mode. It starts burning glucose to carry on functioning, which pushes up acidity and devastates brain cells. Hi1a protects the most vulnerable neurons by blocking ‘ion channels’, that would let through acidic molecules into the cells. Lab rat experiments suggest that even when administered two hours after a stroke, Hi1a reduces brain damage by 80%. (Read more here)
Impressive, but is there recovery, if the damage is done? Sadly, no guarantees at the moment. Therapies use the brain’s unique ability to learn and change — known as neuroplasticity. Function of the damaged area is taken over by nearby brain regions. However, despite this intriguing ability, recovery is often incomplete: survivors end up living with lifelong impairments, such as arm or leg weakness, difficulty with speech and cognitive issues. (Learn more)
What other treatments are available? One approach is to stimulate brain tissue with electric current. Studies have shown that brain stimulation can increase brain activity and improve recovery. But this doesn’t work for everybody, limiting the possible clinical use of this treatment. (Learn more about stimulation therapy)
What else can be done? There is hope for better recovery for a group of patients. New research suggests it’s possible to accurately predict who will respond to brain stimulation. This can enable doctors to identify patients who have a chance of better recovery. In the meantime, let’s hope the funnel web spider can be brought over to the light side and its venom turned into an approved medication.
How do healthy parts of the brain take over functions from damaged parts?
The brain attempts to adapt to traumas throughout life by growing new nerve endings and reconnecting neurons with damaged links. The process is called neuroplasticity.
If, for example, one hemisphere of the brain suffers damage, the other side will attempt to step in and assume some functions.
This kind of ‘damage limitation’ can only achieve results if the reconnected neurons are constantly stimulated through activity.
This research was curated by Brenton Hordacre, PhD, Early Career Research Fellow at the University of South Australia specialising in neuroplasticity-induced by brain stimulation
(Psst, Brenton distilled 43 research papers to save you 849.3 min)
