The active ingredients of Ginkgo biloba extract may improve mental recovery after ischemic stroke. This was demonstrated by a study presented at the conference. American Stroke Association (ASA).
Scientists analyzed recovery of mental functions in 3,163 survivors of mild to moderate ischemic (spot-induced) stroke in China. The average age of the patients was 63 years and 36% of the participants were women.
Within 48 hours after stroke, half of the patients were given 25 mg of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine (GDLM), a combination of the active ingredients of ginkgo biloba, intravenously. The other half was given a solution without the active ingredient (placebo). The procedure was repeated every day for two weeks.
Before treatment, the patients’ mental abilities were moderately impaired (score of 17 out of 30 on the MoCA scale). On day 14, the scores of those who received the GDLM injection increased by an average of 3.93 points, while the scores of those who received the placebo increased by 3.62 points. On the 90th day, the mental abilities of those who received GDLM increased by 5.51 points, and those who received the placebo increased by 5.04 points. The proportion of patients achieving significant improvement overall was 20% higher in the GDLM group.
The authors believe that GDLM may protect the brain from damage by dilating the brain’s blood vessels and increasing the resistance of brain cells to oxygen deprivation. The results are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Additionally, because the study included people from China, the findings may not be generalizable to other countries.
Previous scientists I learnedExposure to radon gas is associated with an increased risk of stroke.