Combined treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 plus acetylcholinesterase inhibitors improved cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment

INTRODUCTION: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a neurocognitive state between normal aging and dementia. There is currently no approved treatment for MCI, with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) being the commonly prescribed drugs. The Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is an herbal remedy used for cognitive disorders, including dementia. This study aims to explore the potential synergistic effect of combination therapy with EGb 761 plus AChEI in patients with amnestic MCI in a real‐life setting. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 133 patients with amnestic MCI who were attending a memory clinic. Patients had received treatment with any of the following drugs: G. biloba extract EGb 761, donepezil, galantamine, or rivastigmine at their standard doses. Subjects were divided into three treatment groups: EGb 761, AChEI, and EGb 761+AChEI. Patients were assessed by Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Boston Naming Test, Trail Making Test (TMT Parts A and B), Letter and Category Fluency Test (LFT, CFT), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living. Mixed‐effects model analysis was carried out to evaluate changes in cognitive, functional, and behavioral outcomes over a 12‐month follow‐up. RESULTS: After 12 months, EGb 761+AChEI showed significant improvement in MMSE, RAVLT, CFT, TMT A‐B, and NPI compared to AChEI and in MMSE and RAVLT compared to EGb 761. At 12 months, EGb 761 was superior to AChEI on the CFT, TMT A‐B, and NPI. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that combined therapy with EGb 761 plus AChEI may provide added cognitive and functional benefits in patients with MCI and provides additional real‐world evidence for the combined use of EGb 761 and anti‐dementia drugs in patients with MCI. This study can serve as a model for the design of clinical trials that help to support the combined use of EGb 761 and anti‐dementia drugs in patients with MCI.