1. Is Gingko Biloba an Effective Alzheimer’s Treatment? William Hopper

2. History Oldest known fossil 5,000 yrs. old- China Oldest known fossil 5,000 yrs. old- China Avg. Life span 1,000 yrs. Avg. Life span 1,000 yrs. Withstood atomic bomb during WWII Withstood atomic bomb during WWII First introduced in US 1784 First introduced in US 1784 Largest plantations worldwide-Sumter, SC and Virginia Largest plantations worldwide-Sumter, SC and Virginia

3. What is Gingko? Maidenhair tree Maidenhair tree Leaves Leaves –Fan shaped –Green in summer –Gold in fall Fruit Fruit –Plumlike –Smooth –Silvery white seed

4. Structure and Growth Grows 20-30 m tall, 9 m wide Grows 20-30 m tall, 9 m wide Dioecious Dioecious Prefers partial sun, moist, deep, sandy soil Prefers partial sun, moist, deep, sandy soil Resistant to disease, insects, and fungus Resistant to disease, insects, and fungus

5. Medicinal Uses Seeds Seeds –Asthma –Leucorrhea Leaves Leaves –Cardiovascular Inhibits Platelet Activating Factor Inhibits Platelet Activating Factor –Alzheimer’s EGB 761 EGB 761

6. Alzheimer’s Basics Most Common form of Dementia Most Common form of Dementia Associated w/ amyloid beta peptide aggregation Associated w/ amyloid beta peptide aggregation Gradual cognitive decline Gradual cognitive decline Loss of synapses between nerves Loss of synapses between nerves

7. Research 1 st Clinical US study in 1997-New York Institute for Medical Research 1 st Clinical US study in 1997-New York Institute for Medical Research Results: Participants showed improved cognitive function and social behavior, but not on a doctor’s assessment Results: Participants showed improved cognitive function and social behavior, but not on a doctor’s assessment Study in 2000, however, showed there to be no difference between patients treated with EGB 761 vs cholinesterase inhibitors Study in 2000, however, showed there to be no difference between patients treated with EGB 761 vs cholinesterase inhibitors

8. Further Research Study of effect on rats showed an increase in cognitive function and increased life span on avg. 4 months. Study of effect on rats showed an increase in cognitive function and increased life span on avg. 4 months. Treatment w/ Gingkolides A and B show resistance to amyloid beta aggregation so could be useful if they can cross blood brain barrier Treatment w/ Gingkolides A and B show resistance to amyloid beta aggregation so could be useful if they can cross blood brain barrier

9. Chemicals in Gingko 24% flavone glycosides 24% flavone glycosides –Antioxidant activity –Increases circulation 6% terpene lactones 6% terpene lactones –Increases circulation –Protects nerve cells

10. Side Effects Excessive bleeding Excessive bleeding Contains alkylphenols Contains alkylphenols Increased insulin secretion, but no effect on glucose levels possible Type 2 diabetes link Increased insulin secretion, but no effect on glucose levels possible Type 2 diabetes link

11. Conclusion Possibly good for mild to moderate cases Possibly good for mild to moderate cases Need more research-better understanding of Alzheimer’s Need more research-better understanding of Alzheimer’s Too many over the counter claims Too many over the counter claims –“Improves Memory and Concentration” but not enough for FDA approval yet

12. References Westall, Kelly Ethnobotanical Leaflets www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/gingko2.htm Westall, Kelly Ethnobotanical Leaflets www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/gingko2.htm “Gingko” emedtv http://alzheimers.emedtv.com/gingko-biloba/gingko.htm “Gingko” emedtv http://alzheimers.emedtv.com/gingko-biloba/gingko.htm “Gingko Proves to be an Effective AD Treatment” AlzheimerSupport.com www.alzheimersupport.com/articles/alz31.cfm “Gingko Proves to be an Effective AD Treatment” AlzheimerSupport.com www.alzheimersupport.com/articles/alz31.cfm Botany.com www.botany.com/gingko.html Botany.com www.botany.com/gingko.html “Gingko Biloba” www.naturalmedicine.com/healthnotes.php?productid=16& ContentId=2096000 “Gingko Biloba” www.naturalmedicine.com/healthnotes.php?productid=16& ContentId=2096000 “Gingko Improves Brain Function, Extends Life Span” AlzheimerSupport.com www.alzheimersupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm?ID=1492 “Gingko Improves Brain Function, Extends Life Span” AlzheimerSupport.com www.alzheimersupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm?ID=1492 www.alzheimersupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm?ID=1492 Bate, Clive, Mourad Tayebi and Alvin Williams. “Gingkolides Protect Against amyloid beta Mediated Synapse Damage in vitro” Molecular Neurodegeneration 7 January 2008 Bate, Clive, Mourad Tayebi and Alvin Williams. “Gingkolides Protect Against amyloid beta Mediated Synapse Damage in vitro” Molecular Neurodegeneration 7 January 2008