[A comparison of cholinesterase inhibitors and ginkgo extract in treatment of Alzheimer dementia]

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#aged #aged-80-and-over #alzheimer-disease #carbamates #cholinesterase-inhibitors

[A comparison of cholinesterase inhibitors and ginkgo extract in treatment of Alzheimer dementia]

Schreiter et al., 2001 | Fortschr Med Orig | Meta Analysis

Citation

Schreiter Gasser U, Gasser T. [A comparison of cholinesterase inhibitors and ginkgo extract in treatment of Alzheimer dementia]. Fortschr Med Orig. 2001-Nov-29;119(3-4):135-8

Abstract

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of second-generation cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, metrifonate) with that of the special ginkgo extract EGb 761R in Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: Analysis of the effect on cognition with the aid of the ADAS-cog.scale, placebo-adjusted, within six months; statistical evaluation of the effect using the confidence interval for the potential mean improvement. RESULTS: All medications are statistically significantly superior to placebo. The mean improvement is larger for the cholinesterase inhibitors than for the ginkgo extract. In the statistically unfavorable case, the effect of the cholinesterase inhibitors is still appreciable, but not for the ginkgo extract. CONCLUSION: Until the results of direct comparative studies are available, the present results indicate a superior effect of cholinesterase inhibitors over the ginkgo extract in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Key Findings

All medications are statistically significantly superior to placebo. The mean improvement is larger for the cholinesterase inhibitors than for the ginkgo extract. In the statistically unfavorable case, the effect of the cholinesterase inhibitors is still appreciable, but not for the ginkgo extract.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Carbamates
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Donepezil
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Humans
  • Indans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Phenylcarbamates
  • Phytotherapy
  • Piperidines
  • Plant Extracts
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Rivastigmine
  • Trichlorfon
  • Ginkgo Extract

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: ginkgo

Provenance

  • PMID: 11789125
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09