Ginkgo biloba-Extract EGb 761® improves neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. Overview of randomised controlled trials

In previous studies, EGb 761® improved behavioural and psychological symptoms in patients with mild aging-associated cognitive impairment. Findings from subgroup analyses of dementia trials suggested that EGb 761® may be more effective in patients who suffer from neuropsychiatric symptoms. Patients with mild to moderate dementia associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms were therefore enrolled in three recent randomised, controlled, double-blind, clinical trials. Two trials were placebo-controlled (trial 1: 395 patients; trial 2: 404 patients), one trial was reference-controlled (trial 3: 93 patients). Patients with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease with cerebrovascular disease were enrolled in trials 1 and 2, whereas in trial 3 only patients with Alzheimer's disease were included. In all three trials the NPI composite score as well as the NPI caregiver distress score improved under EGb 761® treatment. In trials 1 and 2 EGb 761® was significantly superior to placebo with respect to both NPI composite and NPI caregiver distress scores. In trial 3 there was no significant difference in NPI scores between EGb 761®, donepezil or combined treatment with both. Anxiety, depression, apathy/indifference, irritability/lability, and aberrant motor behaviour were the symptoms most markedly improved by EGb 761® treatment. To summarise, EGb 761® not only improves cognitive performance and activities of daily living in patients with dementia, but also provides relief from neuropsychiatric symptoms.