Ginkgo Biloba for Cognitive Function
Extract standardised for flavonoid glycosides and terpene lactones from one of the oldest living tree species; proposed to improve cerebral blood flow and act as an antioxidant, studied for cognitive symptoms and tinnitus.
Ginkgo Biloba for Cognitive Function
4 of 8 results reported a benefit, from 2 published studies.
2 studies, including a review of trials · the chart counts everything measured
- 4 reported a benefit
- 3 no clear benefit
- 1 unclear
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
- Overall thinking skills2.86lower, unit not reported1 review of trials2015 study ↗
- New Alzheimer's disease casesNo clear difference16% higher rate1 randomised trial2008 study ↗
- New dementia casesNo clear difference12% higher rate1 randomised trial0 of 2 results reported a benefit2008 study ↗
- Thinking outcomes (general)Unclear resultmeasurement not reportedIn the Alzheimer's disease subgroup, EGb761 showed no statistical superiority over placebo beyond the overall effect.1 review of trials2015 study ↗
Also measured in these studies (3)
These were measured alongside, but they are not what this condition is about.
- Daily living abilitiesSlight effectslightly better than the comparison group1 review of trials2015 study ↗
- Doctor-rated overall change88%higher odds than the comparison group on the CGIC scale1 review of trials2015 study ↗
- Combined dementia outcomesReported a benefitmeasurement not reportedIn patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms, EGb761 showed greater benefit versus placebo than the whole group.1 review of trials2015 study ↗
These are the figures the studies reported, not a prediction for any one person. Where several studies measured the same thing in the same unit, we show a simple average and say so. Every result is listed below.
See every resultThe connection
Memory, mental clarity and overall brain health.
Also known as: Ginkgo
Ginkgo Biloba × Cognitive Function: at a glance
Every published result for this pair, extracted and audited.
These charts count reported findings from published studies, grouped by reported benefit and study design. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Ginkgo Biloba / Cognitive Function: reported findings; one study may contribute several findings.
What the evidence shows
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| Benefit | 4 |
| Unclear | 1 |
| No benefit | 3 |
Study designs behind these findings
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| Meta-analysis | 5 |
| Randomised trial | 3 |
- Studies
- 2
| Study | Outcome | Reported result | Uncertainty (as reported) | Study duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (PMID 25114079) | Activities of daily living (ADLs) | -0.36 | 95%CI -0.44; -0.28 | 22-26 weeks |
| Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (PMID 25114079) | Clinicians' Global Impression of Change (CGIC) | 1.88 | 95%CI 1.54; 2.29 | 22-26 weeks |
| Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (PMID 25114079) | Cognition (change score) | -2.86 | 95%CI -3.18; -2.54 | 22-26 weeks |
| Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (PMID 25114079) | Cognition, ADLs, CGIC and neuropsychiatric symptoms (neuropsychiatric subgroup) | Not reported | Not reported | 22-26 weeks |
| Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (PMID 25114079) | Cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease subgroup | Not reported | Not reported | 22-26 weeks |
| Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial. (PMID 19017911) | All-cause dementia | 1.12 hazard ratio | 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.33; P = .21 | 6.1 years |
| Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial. (PMID 19017911) | Alzheimer disease | 1.16 hazard ratio | 95% CI, 0.97-1.39; P = .11 | 6.1 years |
| Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial. (PMID 19017911) | Progression to dementia with mild cognitive impairment | 1.13 hazard ratio | 95% CI, 0.85-1.50; P = .39 | 6.1 years |
Study results, as reported by the publications
Every measured outcome, one row per finding - numbers exactly as reported. Units are preserved where supplied; missing units are not inferred.
| Study and type | Reported sample and duration | Outcome measured | Reported result | What studies found |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMID 25114079 2015 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): 2,561Duration: 22-26 weeks | Activities of daily living (ADLs) | -0.36 (95%CI -0.44; -0.28) | Benefit |
| PMID 25114079 2015 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): 2,561Duration: 22-26 weeks | Clinicians' Global Impression of Change (CGIC) | 1.88 (95%CI 1.54; 2.29) | Benefit |
| PMID 25114079 2015 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): 2,561Duration: 22-26 weeks | Cognition (change score) | -2.86 (95%CI -3.18; -2.54) | Benefit |
| PMID 25114079 2015 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: 22-26 weeks | Cognition, ADLs, CGIC and neuropsychiatric symptoms (neuropsychiatric subgroup) | Not reported | Benefit |
| PMID 25114079 2015 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: 22-26 weeks | Cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease subgroup | Not reported | Unclear |
| PMID 19017911 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: 6.1 years | All-cause dementia | 1.12 hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.33; P = .21) | No benefit |
| PMID 19017911 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: 6.1 years | Alzheimer disease | 1.16 hazard ratio (95% CI, 0.97-1.39; P = .11) | No benefit |
| PMID 19017911 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 482Duration: 6.1 years | Progression to dementia with mild cognitive impairment | 1.13 hazard ratio (95% CI, 0.85-1.50; P = .39) | No benefit |
Ginkgo Biloba × Cognitive Function: the evidence base
Hand-selected PubMed studies, linked to the originals.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementiaWieland LS, et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2026PMID 41641880 ↗02Effects of acute exercise on cognitive function: A meta-review of 30 systematic reviews with meta-analysesChang YK, et al. · Psychological bulletin · 2025PMID 39883421 ↗03Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is safe and effective in the treatment of mild dementia - a meta-analysis of patient subgroups in randomised controlled trialsRiepe M, et al. · The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry · 2025PMID 39895346 ↗04Associations between Diet and Cognitive Function in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisAmanat S, et al. · Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) · 2025PMID 40355028 ↗05Efficiency of Different Supplements in Alleviating Symptoms of ADHD with or Without the Use of Stimulants: A Systematic ReviewAl Shahab S, et al. · Nutrients · 2025PMID 40362791 ↗06Creatine Supplementation in Combat Sport Athletes: A Narrative Systematic ReviewAshtary-Larky D, et al. · Journal of dietary supplements · 2025PMID 40755023 ↗Community experiences
Contributors volunteered; this does not establish treatment effectiveness or population incidence.
Reported changes
No publishable community breakdown is available. This does not establish that no reports exist.