Publications (75) View all
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Article: Efficacy and tolerability of a once daily formulation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia: results from a randomised controlled trial.
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ABSTRACT: A 24-week randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of a 240 mg once-daily preparation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in 404 outpatients ≥ 50 years diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia (SKT 9-23), Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD), with neuropsychiatric features (NPI total score ≥ 5). Separate analyses were performed for diagnostic subgroups (probable or possible AD; VaD). 333 patients were diagnosed with AD and 71 with VaD. EGb 761® treatment was superior to placebo with respect to the SKT total score (drug-placebo differences: 1.7 for AD, p<0.001, and 1.4 for VaD, p<0.05) and the NPI total score (drug-placebo differences: 3.1 for AD, p<0.001 and 3.2 for VaD, p<0.05). Significant drug-placebo differences were found for most secondary outcome variables with no major differences between AD and VaD subgroups. Rates of adverse events in EGb 761® and placebo groups were essentially similar. EGb 761® improved cognitive functioning, neuropsychiatric symptoms and functional abilities in both types of dementia.Pharmacopsychiatry 11/2011; 45(2):41-6. · 2.07 Impact Factor -
Article: Baseline neuropsychiatric symptoms are effect modifiers in Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761®) treatment of dementia with neuropsychiatric features. Retrospective data analyses of a randomized controlled trial.
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ABSTRACT: Previous studies suggested that EGb 761® may be more effective when dementia is associated with neuropsychiatric features. To find out whether treatment effects correlate with neuropsychiatric symptom burden at baseline, retrospective analyses of data from a 24-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of EGb 761® (240 mg once daily) were performed. 410 outpatients with mild to moderate AD, VaD or AD with cerebrovascular disease, each associated with neuropsychiatric features, were enrolled. Patients scored 5 or above on the NPI, with at least one item score being ≥3, and between 9 and 23 on the SKT cognitive test battery. Correlations between the NPI composite score at baseline and other efficacy variables were calculated. Regression analyses with the NPI composite score as regressor and efficacy variables as dependent variables were performed. Correlations between changes from baseline and NPI baseline scores were weak to modest, but conspicuously different between active drug and placebo groups. The slopes of the regression lines for the EGb 761® and the placebo groups showed qualitative and statistically significant differences: With increasing NPI baseline scores there was faster deterioration in the placebo group and thus more net benefit from treatment for the EGb 761® group.Journal of the neurological sciences 12/2010; 299(1-2):184-7. · 2.32 Impact Factor -
Article: World psychiatric association section of old age psychiatry consensus statement on ethics and capacity in older people with mental disorders.
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ABSTRACT: The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Section of Old Age Psychiatry, since 1997, has developed Consensus Statements relevant to the practice of Old Age Psychiatry. Since 2006 the Section has worked to develop a Consensus Statement on Ethics and Capacity in older people with mental disorders, which was completed in Prague, September 2008, prior to the World Congress in Psychiatry. This Consensus meets one of the goals of the WPA Action Plan 2008-2011, "to promote the highest ethical standards in psychiatric practice and advocate the rights of persons with mental disorders in all regions of the world". This Consensus Statement offers to mental health clinicians caring for older people with mental disorders, caregivers, other health professionals and the general public the setting out of and discourse in ethical principles which can often be complex and challenging, supported by practical guidance in meeting such ethical needs and standards, and to encouraged good clinical practice.International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 06/2009; 24(12):1319-24. · 2.42 Impact Factor -
Article: Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761(R), donepezil or both combined in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with neuropsychiatric features: a randomised, double-blind, exploratory trial.
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ABSTRACT: This randomised, double-blind exploratory trial was undertaken to compare treatment effects and tolerability of EGb 761(R), donepezil and combined treatment in patients with AD and neuropsychiatric features. We enrolled 96 outpatients, aged 50 years or above, who met the NINCDS/ADRDA criteria for probable AD, scored below 36 on the TE4D, a screening test for dementia, below 6 on the Clock-Drawing Test (CDT) and between 9 and 23 on the SKT, a cross-culturally validated cognitive test battery. They scored at least five on the 12-item Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). EGb 761(R) (240 mg per day), donepezil (initially 5 mg, after 4 weeks 10 mg per day) or EGb 761(R) and donepezil combined (same doses) were administered for 22 weeks. Changes from baseline to week 22 and response rates were similar for all three treatment groups with respect to all outcome measures (SKT, NPI, total score and activities-of-daily-living sub-score of the Gottfries-Bråne-Steen Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, CDT and Verbal Fluency Test). An apparent tendency in favour of combination treatment warrants further scrutiny. Compared to donepezil mono-therapy, the adverse event rate was lower under EGb 761(R) treatment and even under the combination treatment. These exploratory findings helped to develop three hypotheses that will have to be proven in further studies: (1) there is no significant difference in the efficiency between EGb 761(R) and donepezil, (2) a combination therapy will be superior to a mono-therapy with one of both substances and (3) there will be less side effects under a combination therapy than under mono-therapy with donepezil.Aging and Mental Health 04/2009; 13(2):183-90. · 1.37 Impact Factor -
Article: [Challenging pharmacotherapy in dementia].
MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 04/2009; 151(13):46-8.
