title: The memory enhancing effects of a Ginkgo biloba/Panax ginseng combination in healthy middle-aged volunteers.
abstract: The effects of capsules containing 60 mg of a standardised extract of Ginkgo biloba (GK501) and 100 mg of a standardised extract of Panax ginseng (G115) on various aspects of cognitive function were assessed in healthy middle-aged volunteers. A double blind, placebo controlled, 14 week, parallel group, repeated assessment, multi-centre trial of two dosing regimens, 160 mg b.i.d. and 320 mg o.d. was conducted. Two hundred and fifty-six healthy middle-aged volunteers successfully completed the study. On various study days (weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 14) the volunteers performed a selection of tests of attention and memory from the Cognitive Drug Research computerised cognitive assessment system prior to morning dosing and again, at 1, 3 and 6 h later. The volunteers also completed questionnaires about mood states, quality of life and sleep quality. The Ginkgo/ginseng combination was found significantly to improve an Index of Memory Quality, supporting a previous finding with the compound. This effect represented an average improvement of 7.5% and reflected improvements to a number of different aspects of memory, including working and long-term memory. This enhancement to memory was seen throughout the 12-week dosing period and also after a 2-week washout. This represents the first substantial demonstration of improvements to the memory of healthy middle-aged volunteers produced by a phytopharmaceutical.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Drug Research Ltd, Reading, UK. keithw@cdr.org.uk
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wesnes
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McGinty
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Petrini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts