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Those who believe that ginkgo can improve memory and cognitive abilities in the elderly will be greatly disappointed. According to the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), an eight-year study has shown that ginkgo has no effect in preventing dementia or other cognitive disorders in the elderly.
"It's really quite disappointing," said Dr. Steven DeKosky, a neurologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and co-author of the study.
The newly published results are from a study specifically designed to test drugs and supplements for preventing dementia in the elderly. Conducted from 2000 to 2008, the study involved over 3,000 participants with an average age of 79, making it the largest clinical trial of its kind to date. Participants were divided into two groups: one group took two ginkgo tablets daily (each containing 120 mg), while the other group took a placebo. All participants were evaluated at designated clinics every six months.
At the start of the study, none of the elderly participants had dementia or cognitive impairment, but one in six in each group had mild cognitive issues. After six years of follow-up, the number of dementia cases in both groups was roughly the same, with most cases related to Alzheimer's disease.
The results showed that 523 participants were later diagnosed with dementia, with 246 from the placebo group and 277 from the ginkgo group. Among the dementia cases, 92% were identified as likely or very likely to have Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia. The overall incidence rates of dementia and Alzheimer's disease showed no significant difference between the ginkgo and placebo groups.
A similar study is being conducted in Europe, with results expected within the next year. If the European study also concludes that ginkgo is ineffective against Alzheimer's, it will further confirm these findings.
Source: http:/ / mag. udn. com/ mag/ life/ ……_SUB_ID=1348& f_ART_ID=161314
Ginkgo Ineffective against Dementia in Elderly
"It's really quite disappointing," said Dr. Steven DeKosky, a neurologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and co-author of the study.
The newly published results are from a study specifically designed to test drugs and supplements for preventing dementia in the elderly. Conducted from 2000 to 2008, the study involved over 3,000 participants with an average age of 79, making it the largest clinical trial of its kind to date. Participants were divided into two groups: one group took two ginkgo tablets daily (each containing 120 mg), while the other group took a placebo. All participants were evaluated at designated clinics every six months.
At the start of the study, none of the elderly participants had dementia or cognitive impairment, but one in six in each group had mild cognitive issues. After six years of follow-up, the number of dementia cases in both groups was roughly the same, with most cases related to Alzheimer's disease.
The results showed that 523 participants were later diagnosed with dementia, with 246 from the placebo group and 277 from the ginkgo group. Among the dementia cases, 92% were identified as likely or very likely to have Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia. The overall incidence rates of dementia and Alzheimer's disease showed no significant difference between the ginkgo and placebo groups.
A similar study is being conducted in Europe, with results expected within the next year. If the European study also concludes that ginkgo is ineffective against Alzheimer's, it will further confirm these findings.
Source: http:/ / mag. udn. com/ mag/ life/ ……_SUB_ID=1348& f_ART_ID=161314