Ginkgo Biloba Doesn't Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Short of taking Egrifta at $46/d for 20 weeks in just over 150 participants, no other medication or dietary supplement has been shown to slow the development of dementia, much less reverse it.  While cocoa, Mediterranean diet & exercise may decrease the rate of cognitive decline, most of us are looking for any easier way out, usually in the form of a pill.  Our hopes have been pinned on ginkgo biloba for some time, although multiple studies over the years have demonstrated no benefit.

For instance, a May 2008 randomized controlled study of 118 participants w/normal cognitive function followed for 42 months demonstrated no benefit (although there was a hint of benefit when taking into account adherence).  A November 2008 RCT of 3,069 participants, most w/normal cognitive function, followed for 6+yrs also demonstrated no benefit.  A December 2009 analysis of this same group demonstrated no benefit from ginkgo biloba.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.

Rita Mae Brown

So perhaps it should come as no surprise that a randomized controlled trial published early online today in Lancet Neurology found no delay in progression to dementia when comparing ginkgo biloba 120mg twice daily to placebo over 5yrs in 2,854 participants.  Of note, this study was sponsored by the supplement manufacturer who had much to gain if benefit was found.  Not surprisingly, the lead author opined that "it may be that people need to take it for longer."

On the other hand, I am in Dr. Lon Schneider's camp: If something doesn't do what you want it to do, why continue taking it?  I suppose one could hold out hope and keep taking this supplement since it's "relatively benign" but at what cost?  I think we'd have better luck focusing, as noted above, on nutrition & exercise, possibly cocoa.  And if one had a lot of loose change and felt like acting as a guinea pig, perhaps taking off-label Egrifta, if larger, longer duration studies pan out.

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