Ginkgo biloba in Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review
Abstract
This systematic review determines the benefit of treatment with Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) concerning patient-relevant outcomes. Bibliographic databases, clinical trial and study result registries were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with AD (follow-up ≥16 weeks) comparing Ginkgo to placebo or a different treatment option. Manufacturers were asked to provide unpublished data. If feasible, data were pooled by meta-analysis. Six studies were eligible; overall, high heterogeneity was shown for most outcomes, except safety aspects. Among studies administering high-dose Ginkgo (240 mg), all studies favour treatment though effects remain heterogeneous. In this subgroup, a benefit of Ginkgo exists for activities of daily living. Cognition and accompanying psychopathological symptoms show an indication of a benefit. A harm of Ginkgo is not evident. An estimation of the effect size was not possible for any outcome. Further evidence is needed which focuses especially on subgroups of AD patients.
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Modest cognitive function enhancement was noted in Alzheimer's disease subjects in numerous randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials.
“Modest cognitive function enhancement was noted in AD subjects in numerous randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials [126,127].”
From The Multifaceted Role of Neuroprotective Plants in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [127]
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“Modest cognitive function enhancement was noted in AD subjects in numerous randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials [126,127].”
Background
- Authors
- Janßen, I. M., Sturtz, S., Skipka, G., Zentner, A., Garrido, M. V., & Busse, R.
- Affiliations
- Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (DE)
- Technische Universität Berlin (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Janßen, Inger M.
- Venue
- Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift
- Published
- 2010-12
- Volume
- 160
- Issue
- 21-22
- Pages
- 539-546
- ISSN
- 0043-5341 (ISSN-L)
- 1563-258X
- OpenAlex
- W1533053737
- Cited by
- 78
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 1.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2011-02-01)
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Ginkgo biloba and Cashew Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Keywords
- Ginkgo biloba, Alzheimer's disease, herbal medicine, cognitive function, activities of daily living, psychiatric symptoms, treatment safety, dose comparison, placebo comparison
- MeSH terms
- Ginkgo Extract, Alzheimer Disease, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Humans, Phytotherapy, Plant Extracts, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome, Nootropic Agents, Ginkgo biloba
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