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Can winter depression be prevented by Ginkgo biloba extract? A placebo‐controlled trial
Author(s) -
Lingærde O.,
Fφreland A. R.,
Magnusson A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb10915.x
Subject(s) - ginkgo biloba , placebo , depression (economics) , rating scale , randomized controlled trial , clinical trial , medicine , ginkgoales , psychology , psychiatry , pharmacology , alternative medicine , pharmacognosy , developmental psychology , in vitro , biochemistry , pathology , biological activity , economics , macroeconomics , chemistry
Lingjærde O, Fφreland AR, Magnusson A. Can winter depression be prevented by Ginkgo biloba extract? A placebo‐controlled trial. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999: 100 : 62–66. © Munksgaard 1999. Objective: The aim was to test the hypothesis that the Ginkgo biloba extract PN246, in tablet form (brand name Bio‐Biloba), may prevent the symptoms of winter depression (WD) in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Method A total of 27 SAD patients were randomized to receive double‐blind placebo or Bio‐Biloba for 10 weeks or until they developed symptoms of WD, starting in a symptom‐free phasf about 1 month before expected WD symptoms. An extended Montgomery‐åsberg Depression Rating Scale was completed before and immediately after termination of medication. The patients also self‐rated some key symptoms on a visual analogue scale every 2 weeks during the trial. Results: There were no significant differences between the treatment groups in the number of patients who developed treatment‐requiring WD, or in the development of single key symptoms during the trial. Conclusion: We did not find that Ginkgo biloba was able to prevent the development of the symptoms of winter depression.