Researchers at Germany’s Klinik fur Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie (Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy) conducted a study to observe the effects of ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761® in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and adjustment disorder with anxious mood.
EGb 761® is an anti-dementia drug that enhances cognitive functioning and stabilizes mood in elderly people with cognitive impairment. As well, the extract has been found to alleviate symptoms of anxiety in persons with mental decline, and so, the researchers now tested it for clinical efficacy in younger individuals suffering from anxiety.
In the study, 107 patients with GAD or adjustment disorder with anxious mood (according to the revised third edition, diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, or DSM-III-R) were given randomized daily dosages of 480mg EGb 761®, 240mg of the extract, or placebo for 4 weeks. The research team performed Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses on the primary outcome measure, the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAMA), and the secondary variables. The clinical global impression of change (CGI-C), the Erlangen anxiety tension and aggression scale (EAAS), the list of complaints, and the patient’s global rating of change.
The researchers found that the HAMA total scores fell in all groups, but changes were significantly different from placebo for both treatment groups. Regression analyses revealed a dose-response trend. EGb 761® was substantially superior to placebo on all secondary outcome measures. It showed to be safe and well-tolerated by the subjects in the study, and the researchers conclude that it may thus be of particular value in elderly persons with anxiety related to mental and cognitive decline.
© Copyright 2007 Insight Journal Online Magazine.
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