Ginkgo in Down Syndrome

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  August-Sept, 2005  by Kerry Bone

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The drug donepezil, which is used in Alzheimer's disease (AD), recently achieved good results in four adults with Down Syndrome (DS). Similarities between the neurobiology of AD and DS have also been noted. This prompted two Italian scientists to investigate the value of the standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba in two young patients with DS. (1)

The patients were not affected by cardiac or other malformations and did not have any other significant medical or psychiatric problems. The Ginkgo was given over their summer holidays.

The first case study was a boy aged 10 years 11 months who had an IQ of 40 (Wechsler Scale) and a Vineland score of 455 (a measure of mental impairment). He was given a daily dose of 80 mg of Ginkgo extract (corresponding to 4 g of leaf) for 11 weeks. Retesting the Vineland score showed an improvement to 497. The child also exhibited major improvements in personal autonomy and social behavior (he began to make new friends spontaneously).

The second patient (age 17 years 8 months) had an IQ of 44 and a Vineland score of 721. He received 120 mg of Ginkgo extract for 13 weeks. His Vineland score improved to 758 with improvements in memorizing, writing and self control.

Commentary

The results from these two case studies are very encouraging and hopefully will be confirmed by a properly designed clinical trial. They also suggest a potential role in Down Syndrome for other herbs which have been proven to enhance cognitive processes such as Bacopa, sage, Korean ginseng, Schisandra and Eleutherococcus.

Reference

1. Donfrancesco R, Dell'umomo A. Ginkgo biloba in Down Syndrome. Phytomedicine 2004; 11: 469

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