Plant extract counters cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s

The Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 was tested in a placebo controlled study in 395 outpatients with mild to moderate dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, irritability and indifference. Patients with these symptoms represent the overwhelming majority of Alzheimer’s cases in clinical practice.

Paticipants received either 240mg of EGb 761 or placebo daily. After 22 weeks, patients given EGb 761 showed clear improvement and a significant difference in ratings of dementia, depression and neuropsychiatric symptoms. EGb 761 was also well tolerated.

EGb 761 is a patented extract of the Ginkgo biloba leaf. The treatment has proven antioxidant activity and has been tested in both human and animal studies.

Although a powerful scavenger of free radicals, EGb 761 also exerts a protective influence against some biological and behavioral consequences of aging and stress. This investigation supports the findings of previous studies that have shown EGb 761 to be capable of modulating cognitive function, possibly by its effects on both dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmission.

“This study shows EGb 761 is effective in typical Alzheimer’s cases,” said Professor Napreyenko, principal investigator of the study. “In patients exhibiting the full range of cognitive and non-cognitive features of dementia, EGb 761 improves cognitive functioning as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms and activities of daily living.”