Laboratory and animal studies have shown that in addition to bolstering the body’s red blood cells, the drug, EPO, is present in the central nervous system and acts to protect cells and tissues from damage and death. That could make it useful as a treatment for strokes, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and many other ailments. Testing in humans is in very early stages.” (New York Times)
In my own field, the drug will be investigated as a treatment for schizophrenia, although I think the hypothesized mechanism is such a longshot that it is medically implausible, unlike possible benefits to other CNS pathologies such as stroke or Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ironically, the original purpose of the drug, to boost the body’s production of red blood cells, becomes a liability if used in someone who is not anemic, as it can thicken the blood to the point of increasing clot risk. (Athletes who have used EPO to increase their blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity — it is one of the drugs implicated in the ‘doping’ scandal — place themselves foolishly at this risk.) With the discovery of these added potential benefits, a modified version of EPO which does not generate RBC production but still seems to protect tissue is under development.
