From The February 2001 Issue of Nutrition Science News

Ginkgo Fails a Test

Most studies examining the effects of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) on the elderly have found it helps improve mental function in dementia patients. However, these studies have been conducted on people living in their own homes. What about nursing-home residents?

A new double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that ginkgo does not appear to help nursing-home residents with dementia.

Researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands studied 214 residents of 39 nursing homes in what is known as the Maastricht Ginkgo Trial. Participants were mainly women averaging 83 years of age. They were randomized to receive placebo, 160 mg or 240 mg per day of ginkgo. After 12 weeks, half of each ginkgo group was switched to placebo while the rest continued ginkgo supplementation. Cognitive function was assessed before the study began, after 12 weeks, and at the end of the study, using a variety of tests including digit memory span, word list, and a battery of other assessment tools designed in Germany.

Results showed no difference in cognitive functioning among the groups. The authors cannot explain why their study did not confirm previous research showing ginkgo's effectiveness. It may be that the population in this study was too far diminished in mental and physical functioning to be helped by the herb. The authors also admit results could be a fluke, writing, "We cannot fully rule out the possibility that our negative trial was an 'outliner by chance.'"

—J Am Geriatr Soc
2000 Oct;48(10):1183-94.