title: Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in children with ADHD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The side effects, nonresponse, and prejudices against conventional pharmacological treatments call for complementary or alternative medical treatments (CAM) for ADHD. One possible treatment, at least for cognitive problems, might be the administration of Ginkgo biloba, though evidence is currently rare. This study tests the clinical efficacy of a Ginkgo biloba special extract (EGb 761®) and its correlation with brain electrical activity in children with ADHD combined type according to DSM-IV.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this open clinical pilot study, EGb 761® was administered to 20 children with ADHD over 3 to 5 weeks. Dosage was increased to a maximum of 240 mg daily if attention problems persisted. Possible drug side effects were assessed using the Side Effect Rating Scale. Efficacy was assessed in a multilevel approach including clinical assessment, quality of life (QoL), as well as performance and preparatory brain-electrical activity evoked during a Continuous Performance Test (Cue-CNV in the CPT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A very low rate of mild adverse effects occurred during the observation period. Following EGb 761® administration, possible improvements in QoL, ADHD core symptoms as well as CPT performance were detected. Improved core symptoms were positively related to elevated CNV amplitude.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary evidence suggests that EGb 761® at a maximal dosage of 240 mg daily might be a clinically useful alternative treatment for children with ADHD, but further evidence is required before firm conclusions can be made.
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, <location>Germany</location>
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uebel-von Sandersleben
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, <location>Germany</location>
authors.forename: Aribert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rothenberger
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, <location>Germany</location>
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ethics and History in Medicine, Center for Medicine, Society and Prevention, University of Tübingen, <location>Germany</location>
authors.forename: L Geza
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Rothenberger
authors.affiliation: Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, <location>Karlsruhe, Germany</location>
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klement
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, <location>Germany</location>
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
keywords: ADHD; ADHS; Elektrophysiologie; Ginkgo biloba; Sicherheit; Wirksamkeit; alternative Behandlungsmöglichkeiten; complementary and alternative medicine; electrophysiology; safety and efficiency