Safety and efficacy of a ginkgo biloba-containing dietary supplement on cognitive function, quality of life, and platelet function in healthy, cognitively intact older adults.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To determine if a ginkgo biloba-containing supplement improves cognitive function and quality of life, alters primary hemostasis, and is safe in healthy, cognitively intact older adults.

DESIGN:
Four-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel design.

SUBJECTS/SETTING:
Ninety men and women (age range 65 to 84 years) were recruited to a university clinic. Eligibility included those without dementia or depression, not taking psychoactive medications or medications or supplements that alter hemostasis.

INTERVENTION:
Ninety subjects were randomly assigned to placebo or a ginkgo biloba-based supplement containing 160 mg ginkgo biloba, 68 mg gotu kola, and 180 mg decosahexaenoic acid per day for 4 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Assessments included:
six standardized cognitive function tests, the SF-36 Quality of Life questionnaire, the Platelet Function Analyzer-100 (Dade Behring, Eschbom, Germany), and the monitoring of adverse events.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES:
Baseline characteristics and study hypotheses were tested using analysis of covariance. Tests were two-tailed with a 0.05 significance level.

RESULTS:
Seventy-eight subjects (87%) completed both baseline and 4-month testing (n=36 in placebo group, n=42 in ginkgo biloba group). At baseline, the participants' cognitive function was above average. One of six cognitive tests indicated significant protocol differences at 4 months (P=0.03), favoring the placebo. There were no significant differences in quality of life, platelet function, or adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS:
These finding do not support the use of a ginkgo biloba-containing supplement for improving cognitive function or quality of life in cognitively intact, older, healthy adults. However, high baseline scores may have contributed to the null findings. The ginkgo biloba product seems safe and did not alter platelet function, though additional studies are needed to evaluate the interaction of varying doses of ginkgo biloba and ginkgo biloba-containing supplements with medications and supplements that alter hemostasis.

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Author information

Author/s: Carlson, Joseph J (JJ); Farquhar, John W (JW); DiNucci, Ellen (E); Ausserer, Laurie (L); Zehnder, James (J); Miller, Donald (D); Berra, Kathy (K); Hagerty, Lisa (L); Haskell, William L (WL);

Affiliation: Sport and Cardiovascular Nutrition Program, Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. joe.carlson(-atsign-)radiology.msu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of the American Dietetic Association (J Am Diet Assoc), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 107 (issue 3) : pp 422-32

Dates: Created 2007/02/27; Completed 2007/04/23; Revised 2007/11/02;

PMID: 17324660, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: J Am Diet Assoc. 2007 Mar;107(3):432-3. (PMID: 17324661)

CommentIn: J Am Diet Assoc. 2007 Sep;107(9):1492; author reply 1492. (PMID: 17761224)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Blood Platelets - drug effects; physiology
Cognition - drug effects; physiology
Dietary Supplements
Double-Blind Method
Female

Ginkgo biloba - adverse effects; chemistry
Humans
Male
Plant Extracts - adverse effects; pharmacology
Quality of Life
Safety
Treatment Outcome

Associated Chemicals: Plant Extracts (0)

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