Ginkgo Biloba May Be Ineffective for Dementia, Memory Loss

THE NETHERLANDS--In a study published in the October Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (48:1183-1194), researchers found that ginkgo biloba supplementation may not benefit dementia and age-related memory impairment in the elderly.

In a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers enlisted 214 participants from various nursing homes in the Netherlands who experienced either a mild-to-moderate dementia or age-associated memory impairment. The volunteers were randomly selected into three groups, with each group receiving a high dose of ginkgo biloba (240 mg/d), an average dose of ginkgo biloba (160 mg/d) or a placebo. The herbal extract used during this study was EGb 761.

After 12 weeks of treatment, participants taking ginkgo were randomized again to either continue ginkgo treatment or begin placebo treatment. Results were assessed after 12 and 24 weeks, using measurements such as neuropsychological testing, digit memory span and verbal learning through clinical and behavioral markers.

The study noted that, halfway through the trial, ginkgo users performed slightly better in self-reported daily activities but slightly worse in self-perceived health status when compared to the placebo group. According to the researchers, of the 79 participants assigned gingko for all 24 weeks, no significant differences were found when compared to the 44 placebo users. Also, no benefit was found when ginkgo was taken in higher doses or for longer periods of time.

"My concern would be that with there being a number of studies showing positive results [for ginkgo] in the past, I wouldn't put a lot of stock into one randomized clinical trial that showed that [ginkgo] may not be effective," said Gayle Engels, the public relations and marketing director at the American Botanical Council. "I would be wary of discounting the use of ginkgo for dementia and memory loss." For an abstract of the study, visit www.amgeriatrics.com.