Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia with neuropsychiatric features: review of recently completed randomised, controlled trials. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ihl, Ralf
• Is Part Of: International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice. Volume 17:Number 1(2013)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: Mental illness -- Periodicals; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.3109/13651501.2013.814796
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1365-1501

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>. We review four randomised, controlled trials investigating the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761<sup>®</sup> in elderly patients with Alzheimer or vascular dementia with neuropsychiatric features. <italic>Methods</italic>. 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<sup>®</sup> to placebo while one used donepezil as an active control. The duration of randomised treatment was 22 or 24 weeks. <italic>Results</italic>. One thousand, two hundred and ninety-four patients were analysed for efficacy. Patients treated with EGb 761<sup>®</sup> 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<sup>®</sup> was significantly superior in all mentioned domains (<italic>p</italic> < 0.01). In the actively controlled trial, EGb 761<sup>®</sup> and donezepil as well as a combination of both drugs had similar effects. <italic>Conclusions.</italic> The review supports the efficacy of EGb 761<sup>®</sup> in age-related dementia with neuropsychiatric features. The drug was safe and well-tolerated.</p> </abstract>