Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 ® in dementia with neuropsychiatric features: review of recently completed randomised, controlled trials.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We review four randomised, controlled trials investigating the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761(®) in elderly patients with Alzheimer or vascular dementia with neuropsychiatric features.

METHODS:

Patients with a total score of 9-23 in the Syndrom-Kurz test (SKT) cognitive test battery (cognitive domain) and with a composite score 6 and greater in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI; behavioural domain) were included. Three trials compared 2 × 120 mg/day or 1 × 240 mg/day EGb 761(®) to placebo while one used donepezil as an active control. The duration of randomised treatment was 22 or 24 weeks.

RESULTS:

One thousand, two hundred and ninety-four patients were analysed for efficacy. Patients treated with EGb 761(®) showed improvements of cognitive performance and behavioural symptoms that were associated with advances in activities of daily living and a reduced burden to caregivers. Placebo-treated patients, on the other hand, showed only minimal improvements or signs of progression. In each placebo-controlled trial, EGb 761(®) was significantly superior in all mentioned domains (p < 0.01). In the actively controlled trial, EGb 761(®) and donezepil as well as a combination of both drugs had similar effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

The review supports the efficacy of EGb 761(®) in age-related dementia with neuropsychiatric features. The drug was safe and well-tolerated.

• Authors: Ralf Ihl
• Journal: International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice (Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract) Vol. 17 Suppl 1 Pg. 8-14 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1471-1788 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23808613 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Neuroprotective Agents
• Placebos
• Plant Extracts
• Ginkgo biloba extract

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Dementia (drug therapy, psychology)
• Ginkgo biloba
• Humans
• Multicenter Studies as Topic
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care (statistics & numerical data)
• Phytotherapy
• Placebos
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Severity of Illness Index