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Ginkgo biloba in dyslexia: a pilot study.

Authors :
Donfrancesco R
Ferrante L
Source :
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology [Phytomedicine] 2007 Jun; Vol. 14 (6), pp. 367-70. Date of Electronic Publication: 2007 May 22.
Publication Year :
2007

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to collect preliminary information on the possible efficacy and tolerability of EGb 761 standardized plant extract of Ginkgo biloba as a treatment of dyslexia in school-aged children.<br />Methods: Fifteen children (5-16 year old) with dyslexia participated in an open-label trial of EGb 761 given as a single morning dose of 80 mg. Standardized tests for dyslexia were administered at baseline and at the end of the study.<br />Results: All 15 children completed the trial. The score of the standardized tests for dyslexia decreased. On the list of words the score decreased from mean 4.33 (SD=2.37) at baseline to 2.66 (SD=1.58) at the end of the study (p<0.01), on the list of non-words from mean 3.39 (SD=1.5) at baseline to 2.26 (SD=0.92) at the end of the study (p<0.02) and on the reading piece from mean 3.52 (SD=2.11) to 2.13 (SD=1.25); at the end of the study (p<0.05). At the end of the study 9 children did not perform below the -2 SD on the list of words and 7 on reading text and so they no longer fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria for dyslexia. A brief period of headache was reported by the parents of two children.<br />Conclusion: These data suggest that EGb 761 standardized plant extract of Ginkgo biloba has acceptable acute tolerability at single doses up to 80 mg/day and is possibly efficacious in decreasing dyslexia difficulties. The need for a double-blind trial is discussed by the authors.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0944-7113
Volume :
14
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
17517502
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2007.05.001