A blood-boosting anemia drug that athletic cheats use to gain a competitive edge also appears to improve memory.

In erythropoeitin, or EPO — used medically to increase blood production among cancer patients with anemia, for instance — affected nerve cells in the brains of mice and led to better memory.The findings could prove useful in treating diseases that affect the brain such as schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis

“The currently available data clearly indicate that EPO can improve cognitive function of both rodents and man by directly acting on the nervous system”

The EPO injects mice with every other day for three weeks to test the long-term impact of the drug. Mice given EPO had better memory in some situations than the animals given a placebo.

The better memory lasted up to three weeks from the last dose but disappeared after about a month. Mice given one dose a week had no benefit.

The specific improvements were associated with the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in learning and memory, among other things.

“Young mice systematically treated with EPO for three weeks have improved memory, similar to the dramatic improvements observed in endurance and muscular performance athletes who use EPO to boost performance,”

EPO treatment seemed to increase the transmission of certain nerve impulses in the brain, resulting in greater short-term and long-term memory. The improvements in memory were not linked to boosted blood production.