Ginkgo Biloba Does Not Prevent Dementia

According to a new study published in the November 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Ginkgo biloba, an over-the-counter herbal supplement widely sold to improve memory does not prevent dementia or Alzheimer disease.  The Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) trial, led by Steven T. DeKosky, MD, University of Pittsburgh, had 3,069 participants 75 and older with normal cognition. All were randomly assigned to take either 120 mg of ginkgo twice a day or a daily placebo for about six years. The trial did not find that ginkgo was effective in preventing or delaying the onset of dementia.