Preventing
dementia is a high priority goal
for our aging population. The
Dementia Prevention Study is
a 42-month research trial investigating
whether standardized gingko biloba
extract (GBE) may prevent or
delay cognitive decline in people
age 85 years or older (the oldest
old). The study focuses on the
oldest old because they are at
particularly high risk for developing
mild cognitive impairment (MCI),
a precursor to dementia. Because
this is a population that has
been previously
|
been out
of the mainstream for use of
alternative medicine,
the safety of GBE
in this age group will also be
tested in this study.
This
pilot study is viewed as a necessary
first step in order to demonstrate
whether GBE, an alternative or
complimentary therapy, has a
disease modifying effect on the
brain, distinct from a symptomatic
effect. Biological effects will
be assessed with volumetric quantitative
MRI, a means of confirming
whether there is a brain modifying
effect |
(measured
as a decrease in brain volume
loss with treatment).
One-hundred thirty-three elderly subjects with no history of memory problems and of average physical health were enrolled in the study, which has recently concluded. The study findings have been submitted for professional publication; please check back for the citation. |
Dementia Prevention Study (DPS)
