Efficacy and tolerability of a once daily formulation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 ® in Alzheimer's Disease and vascular dementia: Results from a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: A 24-week randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of a 240 mg once-daily preparation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 ® in 404 outpatients50 years diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia (SKT 9-23), Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD), with neuropsychiatric features (NPI total score5). Methods: Separate analyses were performed for diagnostic subgroups (probable or possible AD; VaD). Results: 333 patients were diagnosed with AD and 71 with VaD. EGb 761 ® treatment was superior to placebo with respect to the SKT total score (drug-placebo differences: 1.7 for AD, p<0.001, and 1.4 for VaD, p<0.05) and the NPI total score (drug-placebo differences: 3.1 for AD, p<0.001 and 3.2 for VaD, p<0.05). Significant drug-placebo differences were found for most secondary outcome variables with no major differences between AD and VaD subgroups. Rates of adverse events in EGb 761 ® and placebo groups were essentially similar. Conclusion: EGb 761 ® improved cognitive functioning, neuropsychiatric symptoms and functional abilities in both types of dementia. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG - Stuttgart - New York.