title: The memory-enhancing effects of Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba in healthy volunteers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of herbal remedies, such as Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng, for improving cognitive performance has become increasingly popular during recent years. Several previous studies have indicated that administration of Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng may improve aspects of learning and memory in healthy volunteers. These results, however, are generally not supported by well-controlled clinical studies. Also, positive results have often been reported from studies investigating effects related to short-term, chronic administration of the extract. Nonetheless, both Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng are marketed as having the capacity to enhance cognitive functions, such as memory and learning, in the long term.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at investigating whether the use of Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng for a long period of time has positive effects on performance on learning and memory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community-dwelling volunteers ( n=3500) from The Betula prospective cohort study: memory, health, and aging were included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that the use of neither Ginkgo biloba ( n=40) nor Ginseng ( n=86) was associated with enhanced memory performance in any of the eight memory tests examined, relative to control groups either using or not using nutritional supplements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that use of Ginkgo biloba or Ginseng does not provide any quantifiable beneficial effects on memory performance in the long-term in healthy adult volunteers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden. jonas.persson@psy.umu.se
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bringlöv
authors.forename: Lars-Göran
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nyberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations