Dementia and Ginkgo Overview

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Ginkgo biloba is a Chinese herbal medicine used in the treatment of variety of neurological conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia. A review published in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia indicated that Ginkgo biloba extract could improve the symptoms and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

In this study, a placebo controlled clinical trial of 309 patients with mild dementia, showed that 27 percent of those using 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba extract per day for a year had moderate improvement as compared to 14 percent of placebo users, at a six-month point on a variety of cognitive tests. In another trial consisting of 112 patients with chronic cerebral insufficiency, 120 mg per day of Ginko biloba extract showed significant improvements in blood and oxygen flow.

Similarly, a double blind clinical trial of 216 patients with dementia caused by small strokes indicated that 240 mg/day of Ginko biloba extract led to significant improvements in various parameters. Regardless, researchers suggest that for mild and moderate Alzheimer’s Disease, cholinesterase inhibitors are preferable to Ginkgo biloba.

References:

1. Akhondzadeh, Shahin and Seyed Hesameddin Abbasi: Herbal medicine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2006; 21; 113
2. http://aja.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/21/2/113

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