Herbal extract ginkgo biloba is not an effective treatment for dementia, a UK study suggests.

The complementary medicine is commonly marketed as an aid Nazi gay memorial opens in Berlin ...
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But a six-month trial of 176 people with mild to moderate dementia found no difference between those taking ginkgo biloba and those taking placebo.

It has been estimated more than 1 in 10 people with dementia use ginkgo biloba hoping it will help.

The researchers, who report the results in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, tested 120 mg daily of ginkgo biloba in patients recruited from London general practices.

They measured participants cognitive skills and quality of life at two, four and six months.

Tests included exercises such as recalling words from memory or answering questions about time or places.

There was no evidence that the standard dose of the herbal extract had any benefit on memory.

And quality of life as reported by the patient or by their carer did not improve over the course of the research.

Evidence update

A Cochrane review published in 2002 which had taken all relevant evidence into account found ginkgo may be a small beneficial effect on memory in dementia patients.

But the researchers say that is being updated in view of this latest research and has found that it is unlikely to provide benefits.

Study leader, Dr Rob McCarney who carried out the research at Imperial College London, said the lack of drug treatments in early dementia meant patients would try anything to slow down the progression of the disease.

"This isn't a hugely expensive treatment but if you're living on a state pension it can make a considerable dent in your budget.

"The findings add to the growing evidence that ginkgo provides no benefit."

He added that negative findings, such as these were in general less likely to be published.

"But we think this is equally important because people can clutch at straws when a diagnosis of dementia is made."

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said the finding was very disappointing.

"However, this is an extremely important finding.

"Thousands of people with dementia, who are already struggling to make ends meet, may buy ginkgo biloba expecting an improvement in their memory."

(BBC)

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