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Phase II study of Ginkgo biloba in irradiated brain tumor patients: effect on cognitive function, quality of life, and mood

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Abstract

Ginkgo biloba has been reported to improve cognitive function in older adults and patients with Alzheimer’s disease and multi-infarct dementia. We conducted an open-label phase II study of this botanical product in symptomatic irradiated brain tumor survivors. Eligibility criteria included: life expectancy ≥30 weeks, partial or whole brain radiation ≥6 months before enrollment, no imaging evidence of tumor progression in previous 3 months, or stable or decreasing steroid dose, and no brain tumor treatment planned while on study. The Ginkgo biloba dose was 120 mg/day (40 mg t.i.d.) for 24 weeks followed by a 6-week washout period. Assessments performed at baseline, 12, 24 (end of treatment), and 30 weeks (end of washout) included KPS, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT-Br), Profile of Mood States, Mini-Mental Status Exam, Trail Making Test Parts A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B), Digit Span Test, Modified Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF), California Verbal Learning Test Part II, and the F-A-S Test. Results: Of the 34 patients enrolled on study, 23 (68 %) completed 12 weeks of treatment and 19 (56 %) completed 24 weeks of treatment. There were significant improvements at 24 weeks in: executive function (TMT-B) (p = 0.007), attention/concentration (TMT-A) (p = 0.002), and non-verbal memory (ROCF—immediate/delayed recall) (p = 0.001/0.002), mood (p = 0.002), FACT-Br subscale (p = 0.001), and the FACT physical subscale (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Some improvement in quality of life and cognitive function were noted with Ginkgo biloba. However, treatment with Ginkgo biloba was associated with a high dropout rate.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by NIH/NCI/DCP Grant 2 U10 CA 81851-09-13. There are no financial disclosures from any authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Albert Attia, Robin Rosdhal & Edward G. Shaw

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Stephen R. Rapp

  3. Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    L. Doug Case & Ralph D’Agostino

  4. Department of Internal Medicine-Hematology Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Glenn Lesser

  5. Department of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Michelle Naughton

  6. Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Kevin McMullen

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  1. Albert Attia
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  8. Robin Rosdhal
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Correspondence to Albert Attia.

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Attia, A., Rapp, S.R., Case, L.D. et al. Phase II study of Ginkgo biloba in irradiated brain tumor patients: effect on cognitive function, quality of life, and mood. J Neurooncol 109, 357–363 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-012-0901-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-012-0901-9

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