Ginkgo extracts New in the S3 guideline Dementia

Up to 1.5 million people in Germany today are living with dementia, with about 244,000 people becoming ill each year. These figures refer to the current "Guideline Dementia", which was presented at the beginning of 2016 and involved 25 relevant specialist societies. One of the most important changes of the new S3 guideline is the inclusion of the Ginkgo special extract EGb 761 in the therapy recommendations.
Developed under the leadership of the German Society of Neurology (DGN) and the German Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology (DGPPN) guideline of the highest quality level S3, brings on 133 pages the current knowledge for the best possible detection, treatment and care of people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias up to date.

Ginko first in the medical guideline S3. Image: hiromi8787 - fotolia

To the favorably evaluated preparations the Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 was added. The guideline reports in detail on the scientific studies carried out independently in recent years with the special extract EGb 761 obtained from the medicinal herb Ginkgo biloba. The authors of the guideline state: "There is evidence for the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba EGb 761 on cognition Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia or vascular dementia and non-psychotic behavioral symptoms. A treatment can be considered. "

As early as 2008, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), including six double-blind randomized clinical trials, concluded that there was evidence of the benefit of daily Ginkgo biloba extract for the daily life activity target of 240 mg EGb 761 gives. This is especially to be expected in dementia patients with accompanying psychopathological symptoms.

However, the proven effectiveness does not generally apply to all preparations of the medicinal plant Ginkgo biloba, but only to the special extract EGb 761, with which almost all of the studies considered were carried out. The scientific results obtained with EGb 761 should therefore not be transferred to other ginkgo containing preparations, teas, globules or tinctures. (Pn)