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No Memory Benefit from Ginkgo

Concentration, learning, and memory were not enhanced when healthy older adults took ginkgo for 6 weeks.

Conflicting claims have been made about the benefits of ginkgo extract for improving memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions (Journal Watch Oct 27 2000). In this study, 230 healthy older adults (age range, 60 to 82) were randomized to receive 6 weeks of ginkgo (120 mg daily, as specified by the manufacturer) or placebo. Participants were required to have baseline Mini-Mental State Examination scores higher than 26 (out of 30), to be independent in activities of daily living, and to be free of psychiatric and neurologic disorders and psychotropic medications.

At 6 weeks, mean scores on 14 standardized tests of verbal and visual learning, memory, concentration, and expressive language did not differ significantly between ginkgo and placebo groups. Likewise, mean scores on global self-assessments of memory did not differ between groups. Although the researchers did not monitor side effects, no participant dropped out due to adverse events.

Comment: Ceiling effects caused by high baseline levels of participant functioning could limit the value of these results. However, this is the largest well-controlled trial of ginkgo and memory to date, and the results are disappointing -- although not likely to slow U.S. sales, which have reached $240 million yearly.

— Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine August 27, 2002

Citation(s):

Solomon PR et al. Ginkgo for memory enhancement: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2002 Aug 21; 288:835-40.

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• Medline abstract (Free)