Blood-Stimulating Kidney Drug May Help Memory

Erythropoietin, or EPO, has come in for its share of non-approved use before. In recent years it’s been shown to help athletes by increasing the number of red blood corpuscles and hence the oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood. This alternative to ‘blood doping’ has been difficult to detect, until a short time ago. But now there may be a new, more widespread use of EPO – as a memory-enhancing agent.

Writing in the online BioMed Central Biology journal, scientists from the famous Max Plank Institute in Germany report their findings in exploring the effect of EPO on memory in mice. This study was precipitated by reports of studies in chronic schizophrenic patients and chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, where EPO improved mental functioning (cognitive performance). Beneficial effects on memory have also been reported in healthy human volunteers. These effects were independent of the known EPO action on red blood cell formation.

Young mice were given alternate-day injections of EPO for 3 weeks, and numerous tests performed. The conclusion was that EPO improved memory function in the hippocampus of the brain by increasing plasticity (the ability to change) and the speed of transmission of impulses between nerve cells. The benefits in memory were maintained for 3 weeks after the end of EPO injections, and were independent of red blood cell changes.

If athletes are prepared to take EPO to improve their athletic performance, how long will it be before poker players or quiz-show contestants try it? I’m intrigued . . .