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Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is safe and effective in the treatment of mild dementia - a meta-analysis of patient subgroups in randomised controlled trials.

  • 2025-02-03
  • The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry 26(3)
    • Matthias Riepe
    • Robert Hoerr
    • Sandra Schlaefke

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 782
Population
patients with mild dementia
Methods
Meta-analysis of eligible randomised placebo-controlled trials; 240 mg EGb 761 daily

Background

Mild dementia is distressing for patients and their relatives. Due to its chronic and progressive nature, healthcare systems are at risk of being overwhelmed by the increasing number of affected patients. Thus, there is a need for safe and well-tolerated treatments that can be initiated at the earliest stages.

Objectives

This meta-analysis of clinical trials aimed to assess the treatment effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with mild dementia.

Methods

Eligible randomised placebo-controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Data of patients with mild dementia (defined as the SKT Short Cognitive Performance Test total scores from 9 to 15) were selected.

Results

The meta-analysis was performed with pooled data from four eligible trials comprising 782 patients with mild dementia. Treatment with 240 mg EGb 761 daily was significantly superior to placebo in cognition (p = 0.04), global assessment (p = 0.01), activities of daily living (p = 0.01) and quality of life (p = 0.02). Standardised effects were medium to large. The frequency of adverse events was alike in patients treated with EGb 761 and placebo (p = 0.66).

Conclusions

The meta-analysis demonstrates that patients with mild dementia benefit from EGb 761 in terms of cognition, activities of daily living, global assessment and quality of life.

Research Insights

  • Ginkgo→Improved Activities of Daily Living

    Treatment with 240 mg EGb 761 daily was significantly superior to placebo in activities of daily living (p = 0.01)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    240 mg daily
  • Ginkgo→Improved Cognition

    Treatment with 240 mg EGb 761 daily was significantly superior to placebo in cognition (p = 0.04)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    240 mg daily
  • Ginkgo→Improved Global Assessment

    Treatment with 240 mg EGb 761 daily was significantly superior to placebo in global assessment (p = 0.01)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    240 mg daily
  • Ginkgo→Improved Quality of Life

    Treatment with 240 mg EGb 761 daily was significantly superior to placebo in quality of life (p = 0.02)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    240 mg daily

Adverse Events Reported

  • Ginkgo→Overall tolerability

    The frequency of adverse events was alike in patients treated with EGb 761 and placebo (p=0.66).

    Finding
    No significant difference
    Magnitude
    p=0.66
    Significant
    No
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