Ginkgo biloba does not help people with dementia, study finds

One of the longest and most rigorous studies yet on Ginkgo biloba found it does not slow progression of dementia and does not significantly effect cognitive function or quality of life.

The study was the first to test the effects of Gingko biloba on people with dementia in a community setting in the UK and showed no significant benefit over a  six month period. 176 people with mild-moderate dementia took part in the placebo-controlled trial. Ahead of print publication, the study is now available for 'early viewing' on the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry online.

Dr Robert McCarney, a lead researcher formerly of Imperial College London, says,

Current guidelines restrict the availability of pharmaceutical treatments for people with dementia on the NHS and research shows over 1 in 10 of people with dementia use Ginkgo biloba. Previous research suggested the alternative therapy has a small but significant effect, however, our findings provide the most robust evidence yet that, sadly, Ginkgo biloba is not an effective treatment for dementia.

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, says,

It's very disappointing that Ginkgo biloba does not benefit people with dementia. 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.

As a nation we spend over £350 million a year on 'natural remedies'. It is important to look at how effective these therapies are through rigorous scientific trials and for this reason Alzheimer's Society funded the Ginkgo biloba trial.

Alzheimer's Society's unique Quality Research in Dementia (QRD) programme consults people with dementia, carers and professionals on which research the charity should fund.

Dr Daphne Wallis, a person with dementia and member of the Alzheimer's Society's QRD programme, says,

People in the early stages of dementia understand better than anyone the implications treatment would have on quality of life. The lack of available treatments affects us directly.

People with dementia will be looking at everything they can to help them find a treatment and every avenue needs to be explored. Gingko biloba is marketed for people with dementia and therefore we deserve to know whether or not it's worthwhile.

Study Reference:
Dr Robert McCarney (2008) Ginkgo biloba for mild to moderate dementia in a community setting: a pragmatic, randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. International Journal of geriatric Psychiatry

Other references:

£350m a year is spent on "natural remedies" (Doctor, 3 June 1999)

Alternative therapies are now part of the mainstream of primary care with over half of GPs using them in their practice, Dr Sunil Vyas, Glan Clwyd Hospital in North Wales http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=23&storycode=4115508

Find out more about our QRD programme

Take a look at our complementary and alternative medicine and dementia factsheet