Ginkgo biloba treating patients with attention-deficit disorder.
Various medications such as clonidine facilitate calming, enhance frustration tolerance and reduce aggression in attention-deficit disorder (ADD) patients. The use of Ginkgo biloba was studied as an herbal alternative. Six psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with ADD were rated at baseline and while taking Ginkgo biloba to determine its efficacy as a treatment for ADD. Comparisons of Wender Utah ratings within subject were used to measure behavioral changes in the subjects. During Ginkgo biloba treatment, the patients' mean scores improved significantly overall and in hyperactivity, inattention, and immaturity factors. This preliminary study indicates that Ginkgo biloba might be a beneficial and useful treatment of ADD, with minimal side effects.
Niederhofer
Helmut
H
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Regional Hospital Bozen, I-39100 Bolzano (BZ), Italy. helmutniederhofer@yahoo.de
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult
D010936:Plant Extracts