A so-called miracle cure for stroke is no more effective than a placebo, a study has found.

The treatment, known as perispinal etanercept, involves injecting an arthritis medication into the back of a patient's neck and tilting them downwards so it travels towards their brain.

Unavailable in Australia, stroke survivors have flown to the United States to receive the treatment, often at great expense.

But a trial conducted by scientists from The Florey has shown it offers patients no benefits above a dummy treatment.

It was thought to reduce brain inflammation and generated a lot of enthusiasm within the stroke community, neurologist and leading Florey stroke researcher Professor Vincent Thijs said.

"We had heard from stroke survivors that had undergone the treatment that there was impr

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