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Free AccessOriginalarbeiten/Original articles

Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761® in Children with ADHD

Preliminary Findings of an Open Multilevel Dose-Finding Study

Published Online:August 27, 2014https://doi.org/10.1024/1422-4917/a000309

Abstract

Objectives: The side effects, nonresponse, and prejudices against conventional pharmacological treatments call for complementary or alternative medical treatments (CAM) for ADHD. One possible treatment, at least for cognitive problems, might be the administration of Ginkgo biloba, though evidence is currently rare. This study tests the clinical efficacy of a Ginkgo biloba special extract (EGb 761®) and its correlation with brain electrical activity in children with ADHD combined type according to DSM-IV. Method: In this open clinical pilot study, EGb 761® was administered to 20 children with ADHD over 3 to 5 weeks. Dosage was increased to a maximum of 240 mg daily if attention problems persisted. Possible drug side effects were assessed using the Side Effect Rating Scale. Efficacy was assessed in a multilevel approach including clinical assessment, quality of life (QoL), as well as performance and preparatory brain-electrical activity evoked during a Continuous Performance Test (Cue-CNV in the CPT). Results: A very low rate of mild adverse effects occurred during the observation period. Following EGb 761® administration, possible improvements in QoL, ADHD core symptoms as well as CPT performance were detected. Improved core symptoms were positively related to elevated CNV amplitude. Conclusion: This preliminary evidence suggests that EGb 761® at a maximal dosage of 240 mg daily might be a clinically useful alternative treatment for children with ADHD, but further evidence is required before firm conclusions can be made.


Ginkgo biloba Extrakt EGb 761® bei Kindern mit ADHS – vorläufige Befunde einer offenen Multi-Ebenen-Dosierungsfindungsstudie

Fragestellung: Unerwünschte Arzneimittelwirkungen, fehlende Wirksamkeit und Vorurteile gegenüber herkömmlichen medikamentösen Behandlungsformen verlangen nach alternativen medizinischen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten der ADHS. Eine erfolgversprechende, bislang kaum untersuchte Möglichkeit zur Behandlung kognitiver Aspekte ist die Gabe von Ginkgo biloba. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Prüfung klinischer Wirksamkeit und deren Zusammenhang mit hirnelektrischer Aktivität unter der Gabe von Ginkgobiloba-Extrakt EGb 761® bei Kindern mit ADHS vom kombinierten Subtyp nach DSM-IV. Methodik: EGb 761® wurde in einer offenen, klinischen Studie 20 Kindern mit ADHS über 3 bis 5 Wochen verabreicht. Die Dosis wurde bis maximal 240 mg täglich erhöht, solange klinisch relevante Aufmerksamkeitsprobleme bestanden. Klinische Wirksamkeit wurde auf mehreren Ebenen untersucht und beinhaltete klinische Untersuchung, Lebensqualität und Verhaltens- und hirnelektrische Aktivitätsparameter während eines Continuous Performance Tests (Cue-CNV im CPT). Ergebnisse: Im Beobachtungszeitraum traten nur wenige leicht ausgeprägte unerwünschte Wirkungen auf. Nach Gabe von EGb 761® kam es zu möglichen Verbesserung von Lebensqualität, ADHS-Kernsymptomatik und Leistung im CPT. Verbesserungen der Kernsymptomatik waren gleichzeitig mit erhöhter CNV-Amplitude korreliert. Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass EGb 761® mit einer Dosis von bis zu 240 mg täglich eine verträgliche und klinisch wirksame alternative Behandlungsmöglichkeit für Kinder mit ADHS darstellt, wenngleich weitere Studien erforderlich sind, um diese vorläufigen Befunde zu stützen.

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