title: Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761®in dementia with behavioural and psychological symptoms: A systematic review.
abstract: To review current evidence of efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761®in dementia with behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD).
  
  
  
  Randomized, placebo-controlled trials assessing the effects of EGb 761®in dementia patients with BPSD were included if the diagnosis was made in accordance with internationally accepted criteria, the treatment period was at least 22 weeks, outcome measures covered BPSD and at least two of the following domains of assessment, i.e. cognition, activities of daily living and clinical global assessment, and methodological quality was adequate. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model was used to calculate the pooled effect estimates and to compare effects of EGb 761®and placebo; furthermore, combined risk differences of response rates were calculated.
  
  
  
  Four published trials were identified, involving altogether 1,628 outpatients with mild to moderate dementia. Least-square mean differences for change from baseline in cognition, BPSD (including caregiver distress rating), activities of daily living, clinical global impression, and quality of life favoured EGb 761®(P < 0.001 for all comparisons).
  
  
  
  The pooled analyses provide evidence of efficacy of EGb 761®at a daily dose of 240 mg in the treatment of out-patients suffering from Alzheimer's, vascular or mixed dementia with BPSD.
authors.affiliation: a Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Age Avancé (SUPAA), Department of Psychiatry , Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois , Prilly , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von Gunten
authors.affiliation: b Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG , Karlsruhe , Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schlaefke
authors.affiliation: c Prof. em. for Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University , Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Überla
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; EGb 761®; Ginkgo biloba; dementia; vascular dementia