Ginkgo for schizophrenia - Literature Review & Commentary - Brief Article

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  June, 2002  by Alan R. Gaby

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One hundred-nine inpatients with chronic, treatment-resistant schizophrenia (mean age, 44 years; mean duration of illness, 21 years) were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, haloperidol (0.25 mg/kg/day) plus Ginkgo biloba extract (containing 24% ginkgo heterosides; 360 mg/day in 3 divided doses) or the same dose of haloperidol plus a placebo for 12 weeks. Clinical response was assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS). Side effects were assessed using the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). After 12 weeks, the SAPS score was significantly lower (i.e., better outcome) in the Ginkgo group than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients rated as responders, when assessed by the SAPS, was 57.1% in the Ginkgo group, compared with 37.7% in the placebo group (p < 0.05). When assessed by the BPRS and SANS scores, the Ginkgo group fared better t han the placebo group, but the differences were not statistically significant. The TESS subscore 1 (behavioral toxicity) and subscore 3 (symptoms of the nervous system) were significantly lower (i.e., less toxicity) in the Ginkgo group than in the placebo group (p < .05).

Comment: These results indicate that the administration of Ginkgo biloba extract may enhance the effectiveness of haloperidol and reduce its toxicity in patients with chronic schizophrenia. The study raises that possibility that Ginkgo may also be a useful adjunct to other antipsychotic drugs. If so, then this relatively non-toxic herb could provide an important advance in the treatment of a common, disabling, and difficult-to-treat psychiatric condition.

Zhang XY, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of extract of Ginkgo biloba added to haloperidol in treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry 2001;62:878-883.

COPYRIGHT 2002 The Townsend Letter Group
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