Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761®, donepezil or both combined in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with neuropsychiatric features: A randomised, double-blind, exploratory trial

Objective: This randomised, double-blind exploratory trial was undertaken to compare treatment effects and tolerability of EGb 761®, donepezil and combined treatment in patients with AD and neuropsychiatric features. Method: 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® (240 mg per day), donepezil (initially 5 mg, after 4 weeks 10 mg per day) or EGb 761® and donepezil combined (same doses) were administered for 22 weeks. Results: 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–Brane–Steen Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for ...