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. 2011:7:209-15.
doi: 10.2147/NDT.S18741. Epub 2011 Apr 20.

Alleviating neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia: the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. Findings from a randomized controlled trial

Natalia Bachinskaya  1 , Robert Hoerr, Ralf Ihl
Affiliations

Alleviating neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia: the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. Findings from a randomized controlled trial

Natalia Bachinskaya et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2011.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761(®) on neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.

Patients and methods: Randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial involving 410 outpatients with mild to moderate dementia (Alzheimer's disease with or without cerebrovascular disease, vascular dementia), scoring at least 5 on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), with at least one item score of 3 or more. Total scores on the SKT cognitive test battery (Erzigkeit's short syndrome test) were between 9 and 23. After random allocation, the patients took 240 mg of EGb 761(®) or placebo once daily for a period of 24 weeks. Changes from baseline to week 24 in the NPI composite and in the SKT total score were the primary outcomes. The NPI distress score was chosen as a secondary outcome measure to evaluate caregivers' distress.

Results: The NPI composite score improved by -3.2 (95% confidence interval -4.0 to -2.3) in patients taking EGb 761(®) (n = 202), but did not change (-0.9; 0.9) in those receiving placebo (n = 202), which resulted in a statistically significant difference in favor of EGb 761(®) (P < 0.001). Treatment with EGb 761(®) was significantly superior to placebo for the symptoms apathy/indifference, sleep/night-time behavior, irritability/lability, depression/dysphoria, and aberrant motor behavior. Caregivers' distress evaluation revealed similar baseline pattern and improvements.

Conclusion: Treatment with EGb 761(®), at a once-daily dose of 240 mg, was safe, effectively alleviated behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with mild to moderate dementia, and improved the wellbeing of their caregivers.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; EGb 761®; Ginkgo biloba; caregivers; patients; vascular dementia.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes from baseline to week 24 in composite scores of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory by item (means, 95% confidence intervals). Notes: +P < 0.1; *P < 0.05.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes from baseline to week 24 in caregiver distress scores of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory by item (means, 95% confidence intervals). Notes: +P < 0.1; *P < 0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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