Early studies in the 1990s, which were broadly embraced by the media and public, reported positive cognitive results from ginkgo supplements. But none of these studies have stood up to scrutiny over time, says Solomon, who co-authored a paper earlier this year in Evaluation & the Health Professions proposing more rigorous guidelines for evaluating the cognitive benefits of alternative medicines.
As for the placebo effect, says DeKosky, it is unlikely to play much of a role in long-term studies like GEM. Rather it is something that researchers are more likely to encounter "very early on" in treatment or short studies. Although the follow-up intervals of this study were not designed to detect such an effect, it is unlikely it would persist for several years, he says. Additionally, notes DeKosky, if patients are thinking about the supplement logically, they wouldn't expect to see results right away. "It wouldn't be logical for a drug that has lots of antioxidants to have a short-term effect of increasing your thinking function. We take them for the longer term."
For his patients, Solomon does not recommend the supplement to treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease or to help with age-related memory problems. DeKosky has similar advice. He notes that "it makes more sense to eat better, exercise and do all of the other things we already know are good for cognitive health" rather than popping unproven pills.
Although DeKosky admits he was disappointed to not find even a hint of help from this herbal supplement, he calls the study itself a success. Recruiting and maintaining such a large group of community-based elderly—and their willing proxies to interview—for six years was no small feat. More of these studies will come, he says, and in the meantime, the research group will continue parsing the data collected from GEM. Next on the list will be to see if the ginkgo had any impact on cardiac disease rates or peripheral vascular disease. The group also plans to image the brains of hundreds of individuals to look for clues and follow some into their late old age.
Solomon, for one, isn't holding his breath for good news from this supplement as a brain booster. "I think it's probably time to throw in the towel for ginkgo," he says. "I think it's time to look for something else."
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11 Comments
Add CommentThe only thing I've ever seen ginkgo do is relieve muscle cramps. For mental and physical stamina, try glutamine.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGinkgo is not a hard drug to be used in severe cases, as in these studies. It is a circulation herb like gota cola and it improves the same when used in conjunction with a healthy diet. With a rich flow of blood to the brain, everyone will benefit something. Even their chemical drugs cannot bring back a destroyed memory from brain cell destruction. This study expected miracles, which even their chemical drugs could not produce.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhen in college, I used ginko to improve circulation to my brain and it did allow me to think clearer where I could remember crammed material for tests. The brain, just like any body organ, when cleaned of toxins produces good results; don't expect miricles, it is a preventive herb. When used with horse chestnut and gota cola it greatly improves circulation and I noticed an improved difference in my thinking...you will to.
Are you advocating, or advertising?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSounds to me like hes on aroll.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe are living in a new age of snake oil salesmen. While I do not doubt that there are benefits to be learned from traditional medicine there is an entire industry that is willing to make any claim it can about some new herb or plant extract and as long as they call it "natural" they don't need to back up their claims with anything but anecdotal evidence.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis isn't a direct swipe at JamesDavis' comments. For all I know he may have benefited from the herbs he took. But until there is something more to a lot of these claims other than slogans like "Millions have been benefiting from these natural supplements and you will too!" I will continue to doubt the veracity of the ads I hear every day.
This study is anything BUT conclusive! Over 33% of the study participants DROPPED OUT OF THE STUDY DURING THE COURSE OF THE STUDY, but THEIR DATA WAS HYPOTHESIZED AND INCLUDED IN THE STUDY!!! There are over 11 GOOD studies (1,2,3,4) that show that Ginkgo Biloba is useful for supporting and improving short term memory and cognitive function!!! Read all of the studies people, and don't believe what the popular media tells you!!! READ THE STUDIES FOR YOURSELVES!!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this1. IQWiG Reports - Commission No. A05-19B. Ginkgo in Alzheimer's disease. Executive Summary. Cologne: IQWiG, 2008.
2. Kaschel R. Ginkgo biloba: specificity of neuropsychological improvement - a selective review in search of differential effects. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental 2009;24:345-370.
3. Kasper S, Schubert H. Ginkgo- [Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761(R) in the treatment of dementia: evidence of efficacy and tolerability.] Fortschritte Neurologie Psychiatrie 2009;77:494-506.
4. Crews W, Harrison DW, Griggin ML, Falwell KD, Crist T, Longest L, Hehemann L, Rey ST. The neuropsychological efficacy of ginkgo preparations in healthy and cognitively intact adults; A comprehensive review. HerbalGram 2005;67:42-62.
So, what you're saying is that in a carefully controlled study in which thousands of participants showed no improvement whatsoever over 6 years we shouldn't have expected miracles. Yet, in your four years of college, you had miraculous results from your own anecdotal test? Tell me, what criteria did you use to determine you "thought better"?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf you want smart drugs - try hydergine, piracetam, deprenyl and modafinil.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis should be front page news in every paper. I hate to think about how much money has been wasted by people thinking that ginkgo would help them.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisInteresting!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisInteresting!
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