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DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1296579
Ginkgo biloba Special Extract in Dementia with Neuropsychiatric Features
A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trialPublication History
Publication Date:
21 December 2011 (online)
Abstract
Background: In previous trials of the Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761© improvements in cognitive functioning and behavioural symptoms were found in patients with aging-associated cognitive impairment or dementia. This trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of EGb 761 in mild to moderate dementia with neuropsychiatrie features.
Methods: Double-blind trial including 400 patients aged 50 years or above with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia ( VaD), randomized to receive EGb 761 or placebo for 22 weeks. Patients scored below 36 on the Test for the Early Detection of Dementia with Discrimination from Depression (TE4D), between 9 and 23 on the SKT test battery and at least 5 on the Neuropsychiatrie Inventory (NPI).
Results: There was a mean -3.2-point improvement in the SKT upon EGb 761 treatment and an average deterioration by +1.3 points on placebo (p < 0.001, two-sided, ANOVA). EGb 761 was significantly superior to placebo on all secondary outcome measures, including the NPI and an activities-of-daily-living scale. Treatment results were essentially similar for AD and VaD subgroups. The drug was well tolerated; adverse events were no more frequent under drug than under placebo treatment.
Conclusion: The data add further evidence on the safety and efficacy of EGb 761 in the treatment of cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms of dementia.