Ginkgo biloba in Diverse Dementia Populations: A Narrative Review

Abstract

With the burden of dementia growing worldwide and its increasing prevalence, there is an urgent need for treatments that can effectively target the main mechanisms of the neurodegenerative process. A substantial level of hope lies in traditional herbal medicine, particularly Ginkgo biloba, which is believed to not only inhibit the neurodegenerative process but also to alleviate the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. However, the current literature tends to overlook the demographic-specific effects of Ginkgo biloba, failing to adequately clarify its efficacy across diverse patient populations. In this context, we conducted a thorough search across multiple databases, focusing on the impact of Ginkgo biloba on age, sex, genetic phenotype, and type of dementia. Our findings revealed varied efficacy across demographic groups, with noticeable benefits in some populations and fewer adverse effects in others. In particular, we identified that groups of older adults with specific genetic markers showed the greatest improvements in cognition, suggesting a strong need for personalised therapeutic strategies that incorporate demographic factors into clinical decision-making. This review highlights the benefits of herbal medicine, particularly Ginkgo biloba, in tailored dementia care, although further research is needed to develop accurate treatment protocols for diverse patient populations.