Sea Snail May Help Chronic Pain Sufferers

[~lostgurl~]

Sea Snail May Help Chronic Pain Sufferers

Newsroom 2006
12 Dec 2006

Australian researchers believe the humble but lethal sea snail may hold the key to a better life for thousands of chronic pain sufferers.

Researchers from the University of Queensland believe conotoxins contained in the snail's venom can be used to create a treatment to replace drugs such as morphine, which can cause unpleasant side effects.

Dr Jenny Ekberg says her research shows the conotoxin can produce pain relief in animals without side effects, and they are working on a formula so human trials can start.

However, Dr Ekberg said it could be several years before the treatment could be produced in marketable quantities.

© NewsRoom 2006

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