Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect6 studies · 5 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 6 studies, 5 reported beneficial effects of Ginkgo biloba on cognitive function, predominantly with small effect sizes. The evidence is strongest in clinical populations (e.g., patients with dementia, vascular cognitive impairment, or Parkinson's disease), with one large systematic review (n=3,582) showing neutral findings. Effects are typically observed at 8-12 weeks, though only 2 studies reported duration (median 70 days).
- Effective dose range: 240 mg daily (EGb 761 extract)
- Studied populations: elderly adults with dementia or cognitive impairment, post-stroke patients, patients with Parkinson's disease, healthy adults
Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). The highest-quality study (systematic review with n=3,582) found neutral effects, suggesting potential overestimation of benefit in smaller studies. Most studies used a standardized extract (EGb 761), but many did not report form or dose — generalization to other Ginkgo preparations is uncertain.
Generated May 15, 2026