Effects of Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761® on neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: findings from a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

In a randomised, double-blind, 22-week trial 400 patients with dementia associated with neuropsychiatric features were treated with Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 (240 mg/day) or placebo. Patients with probable Alzheimer's disease, possible Alzheimer's disease with cerebrovascular disease or vascular dementia were eligible if they scored 9 to 23 on the SKT cognitive test battery and at least 5 on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). EGb 761 was significantly superior to placebo with respect to the primary (SKT test battery) and all secondary outcome variables. The mean composite score (frequency x severity) and the mean caregiver distress score of the NPI dropped from 21.3 to 14.7 and 13.5 to 8.7, respectively, in the EGb 761-treated patients, but increased from 21.6 to 24.1 and 13.4 to 13.9, respectively, under placebo (p < 0.001). The largest drug-placebo differences in favour of EGb 761 were found for apathy/indifference, anxiety, irritability/lability, depression/dysphoria and sleep/nighttime behaviour.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761&reg; treatment: additional results from a 24-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial

“…The pattern of effects was remarkably consistent with those found in previous studies that included similar patients. 13,14 Our findings are also in line with those reported from former studies of EGb 761 ® in dementia and vascular cognitive impairment that did not specifically enroll patients with NPS, but accepted those with mild NPS. 15,16 Similar to the study reported here, depression, anxiety, irritability, emotional lability, and motivation were improved by EGb 761 ® in these earlier studies.…”

Treatment effects ofGinkgo bilobaextract EGb 761® on the spectrum of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Although there was some heterogeneity with regard to effect sizes, the pattern of effects was remarkably consistent across the studies (cf. Scripnikov et al, 2007;Bachinskaya et al, 2011;Nacu and Hoerr, 2016).…”

Pharmacological Treatment of Apathy in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review

“…The authors did not find paroxetine to significantly improve apathy compared with placebo [49] . A study by Scripnikov et al [50] examined the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in 400 patients with vascular dementia and AD. One of the largest drug-placebo differences in favor of EGb 761 was found for the NPI apathy score, but the significance level was not reported.…”