Notre Dame PhD researcher, Dr Diego Milani, is part of a team at the Perron Institute, developing a potential treatment for stroke where a simple injection could reduce brain damage by up to 40 per cent.

The peptide-based treatment potentially in the future could be administered on-the-spot by paramedics. It paves the way for a new frontier in the treatment of stroke and its devastating consequences.

Currently in Australia, life-saving stroke treatment can only be administered in hospitals which often leads to delays as patients are ferried over long distances to hospital facilities.

“The research findings highlight the possibility that a simple injection of a new peptide, administered within 60 minutes of the onset of a stroke could significantly reduce brain damage,” said Dr Milani, who came from Italy to study at Notre Dame for the opportunity to work on the breakthrough program.

Dr Milani conducted his PhD studies and research led by Associate Professor Bruno Meloni and Clinical Professor Neville Knuckey at the Perron Institute, with support from The University of Western Australia and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

“I hope to one day see the treatment carried in every ambulance in the country,” added Dr Milani.