A study published in Journal of the American Medical Association found ginkgo biloba, a dietary supplement, was not effective in combating Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
Dr. Richard Hodes, who is the director of the National Institute on Aging, said that scientists have taken great strides in their knowledge of how Alzheimer’s disease works, adding that they are working diligently toward treatments for it. Despite that desire to find answers, however, he said their study showed no preventive effect by the ginkgo supplement on Alzheimer’s disease.
The study and researchers were backed financially by five organizations from the National Institutes of Health, including: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; National Institute on Aging; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the Office of Dietary Supplements.
The study was titled the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study, and with eight years of work at four sites, it was the largest clinical test of the effects of ginkgo against dementia.
In the study, 3,069 participants were included. Participants had to be 75 or older and have normal cognition or only mild impairment. No patients with dementia were included in the study. After screening, two groups were randomly created with one receiving a ginkgo extract and the other a placebo twice daily.
Evaluation of the results of up to seven years of testing showed no difference in the number from each group who developed more serious cognitive impairment.
According to Dr. Stephen DeKosky, the lead researcher for GEM study, the results confirmed the value of trials and tests such as those conducted. But, he added, older patients who are using dietary supplements like ginkgo and hoping they will prevent dementia should get with their health care providers to look for the best plan of treatment.
Image: Stanford University
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