A review that examined over 52 studies conducted on ginkgo for the treatment of cognitive impairment and dementia, reported that "There is
promising evidence of improvement in cognition and function associated with ginkgo."
Gingko attributes to a higher quality of life for both care-takers and dementia patients. Results of a German health services research study
revealed that ginkgo slows the progression of dementia and reduces treatment costs.
Some of the best evidence for the use ginkgo with neurodegeneration is in the treatment of dementia. A 2007 study in the Ukraine determined
that a special extract of ginkgo biloba called "EGb 761' caused improvements in cognitive functioning and behavioral symptoms were found in
patients with aging-associated cognitive impairment or dementia. A double-blind trial including 400 patients aged 50 years or above with
vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease used EGb 761 or placebo for 22 weeks. The researchers felt the results confirmed "the safety and
efficacy of EGb 761 in the treatment of cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms of dementia."
Ginkgo biloba has historically been the most prescribed herb in Germany and has been used extensively in the prevention and treatment of AD.
The basic approved treatment protocol has been an extract (dubbed GBE) made from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree. Studies indicate that
GBE may improve memory and quality of life and slow progression in the early stages of AD.
At least five double-blind trials have demonstrated GBE to be helpful for people in early stages of AD. A 2007 study of 400 subjects with AD,
GBE improved dementia scores while subjects receiving the placebo experienced a deterioration of scores.
A review of over 52 studies conducted on GBE for the treatment of dementia, concluded that randomized controlled studies that focused on AD
patients both showed significant improvement in these areas.
Another review of placebo-controlled trials of GBE for AD concluded that the herb compared favorably with two prescription drugs, donepezil
and tacrine, commonly used to treat the condition. Researchers suggested that any step taken to reduce atherosclerosis, or hardening of
the arteries, was likely to improve blood circulation to the brain and help AD. There are several compounds in GBE that improve circulation
and act as blood thinners and antioxidants.
GBE helps to suppress of the destructive protein known as amyloid beta. Amyloid beta is a peptide of 39 to 43 amino acids that is the main
constituent of amyloid plaques in the brains of AD patients. Amyloid beta toxicity initiates the synaptic loss and subsequent neuronal
degeneration seen in AD. GBE inhibits amyloid beta induced cell death in neuroblastoma cells. Because GBE suppresses amyloid beta related
pathological behaviors, it is a viable therapeutic potential for prevention and treatment of AD.
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Tchantchou, F., Xu, Y., Wu, Y., Christen, Y., & Luo, Y. (2007). EGb 761 enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis and phosphorylation of CREB in transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. FASEB J, 21(10), 2400-2408.
Wettstein, A. (2000). Cholinesterase inhibitors and ginkgo extracts - are they comparable in the treatment of dementia? Comparison of published placebo-controlled efficacy studies of at least six months’ duration. Phytomedicine, 6(6), 393-401.
Wu, Y., Wu, Z., Butko, P., Christen, Y., Lambert, M. P., Klein, W. L., Link, C. D., & Luo, Y. (2006). Amyloid-b-induced pathological behaviors are suppressed by ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 and ginkgolides in transgenic caenorhabditis elegans. The Journal of Neuroscience, 26(50), 13102-13113.
