01.01.03
The Pharmaton Institute for Wellness, Ridgefield, CT, recently published a scientific review and meta-analysis of ginkgo biloba. It stated that “overall there is promising evidence of improvement in cognition and function associated with ginkgo.” The review also suggested, however, that additional modern, large-scale clinical testing is needed to provide robust estimates of the size and mechanism of any treatment effects. The meta-analysis was conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration at Oxford University and was funded by the U.K.-based Alzheimer’s Society. The meta-analysis reviewed evidence gathered over at least 40 years and found 33 clinical trials met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The vast majority of these trials were conducted on the EGb761 extract of ginkgo biloba. The meta-analysis found that at 12 weeks there were highly significant differences in favor of ginkgo over placebo in the Clinical Global Improvement measure, as assessed by the physician. Although various scales were used to measure cognition or various components of cognition, the overall results for cognition showed statistically significant benefit for ginkgo after 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 52 weeks at the usual doses recommended in the market. The measure of “Activities of Daily Life” showed benefit from ginkgo compared to placebo at 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 52 weeks. There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to adverse reactions.
Based on the findings of this report, the Alzheimer’s Society will begin a new clinical trial of ginkgo in people with dementia. The trial, jointly run by Imperial College and Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, will follow 400 people with dementia over a period of six months, while they receive treatment either with ginkgo biloba or a placebo.
Based on the findings of this report, the Alzheimer’s Society will begin a new clinical trial of ginkgo in people with dementia. The trial, jointly run by Imperial College and Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, will follow 400 people with dementia over a period of six months, while they receive treatment either with ginkgo biloba or a placebo.