New stroke, migraine therapy proposed

KINGSTON, Ontario, July 6 (UPI) -- Canadian scientists say a study involving locusts might lead to new drugs to treat migraine headaches, stroke and epilepsy and other illnesses.

Queen's University biologists found such human disorders are caused by a brain disturbance, during which nerve cells shut down. The scientists discovered that also occurs in locusts when they go into a coma after exposure to extreme conditions such as high temperatures or lack of oxygen.

The researchers said the insects' ability to resist entering a coma, and the speed of their recovery when they do succumb, can be manipulated using drugs that target one of the brain's cellular signaling pathways.

"This suggests that similar treatments in humans might be able to modify the thresholds or severity of migraine and stroke," researcher Gary Armstrong said.

Professor Mel Robertson, who led the research, added he was particularly excited that in one of the locust models "inhibition of the targeted pathway completely suppresses the brain disturbance in 70 percent of animals."

The study, which included researchers Corinne Rodgers and Tomas Money, appears in the Journal of Neuroscience.