Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia (Cochrane review)
Birks J, Grimley Evans J
Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 36 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of Ginkgo biloba in cognitive impairment and dementia
Key Findings
Evidence of benefit for cognition and activities of daily living was inconsistent and unreliable; larger, more recent trials showed no clinically significant benefit.
Conclusions
Ginkgo biloba appears safe but the evidence that it provides clinically meaningful benefit in dementia is inconsistent and unconvincing.
Limitations
Many included trials were small, short and of poor methodological quality.
Supplements Studied
The evidence that Ginkgo biloba has predictable and clinically significant benefit for people with dementia or cognitive impairment is inconsistent and unreliable.
Outcomes Measured
Evidence that ginkgo improves cognition, including verbal domains, was inconsistent and unreliable across trials
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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