Symposium "Windows of Opportunity in Age-Related Cognitive Disorders"on the Occasion of the 25th ECNP (EuropeanCollege of Neuropsychopharmacology) is Welcomed with Great Interest by International Experts
It was quite a crowd of medical experts that gathered for the presentations on "Windows of opportunity in age-related cognitive disorders" that took place in Vienna on the occasion of the ECNP on Saturday 13th. The symposium was chaired by Professor Ralf Ihl, currently serving as Head of the Clinic of Geriatric Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of Alexian Hospital Krefeld, Germany. The lectures summarized the latest findings of internationally known experts in the field of biochemistry and neuropsychiatry. Professor Christian Behl from the Institute of Pathobiochemistry in Mainz, Germany, introduced "Neuroprotective approaches to brain aging and dementia" in his lecture. His message, that despite of decades of research into Alzheimer´s disease (AD) real understanding of its molecular pathophysiology and treatments that actually target the cause of AD still remain out of reach, was a grave and serious statement to start with. Nevertheless, Behl pointed out that especially because new therapies will not be available for some time, it is paramount to re-evaluate and re-consider existing compounds that have already proven their efficacy. Here Behl highlighted the importance of EGb 761®, the Ginkgo biloba special extract developed by Dr. Willmar Schwabe, since this special extract has already proven its impact on neuroplasticity, mitochondrial function and oxidative stress, as well as in general neuronal vulnerability during aging. And as aging is the indisputable main risk factor for late-onset AD his conclusion was that EGb 761® should be reconsidered as a proven efficacious treatment option for therapeutic approaches in age-related neuronal decline linked to AD symptoms.
The day´s second lecture was presented by Professor Barry Oken of the Oregon Health & Science University, Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience (Aging and Alzheimer´s Disease Center) on the subject of "Early intervention for neurocognitive decline: lessons on timing and intensity". Oken presented his evaluation of different population-based cohort studies regarding the delay or prevention of cognitive decline or dementia. His results were sobering, yet he found positive signals in some of the research data. His conclusion was that many substances have failed to show efficacy in cognitive decline or dementia, but that three placebo-controlled trials of the Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761® can be interpreted positively. Although the overall results were not always clear for methodological or study-design reasons, a further analysis of the data showed interesting details. Oken summarized the lessons learned as follows: the effect size was not as large as the studies were designed for; the potential benefit may differ across individuals; study participants´ compliance to drug adherence and continuity of treatment over longer periods of time are of paramount importance for success.
As third and last speaker of the Schwabe-initiated Symposium, Professor Siegfried Kasper from Vienna´s Medical University, Department of Biological Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, presented his lecture "Targeting cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms in early dementia". Kasper focussed on the beneficial effects shown by EGb 761® in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), which affect patients in their daily routines and significantly influence their quality of life. He argued that the treatment of amnestic MCIs with EGb 761® was directly linked to the positive results reached in the alleviation of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as apathy, depression, anxiety or irritability, which usually accompany cognitive disorders. In his summary of the GINDEEM-NP, GOTADAY and GOT-IT studies, he showed patients and caregivers to benefit significantly from treatment with EGb 761® compared to placebo.
Overall, the symposium "Windows of opportunity in age-related cognitive disorders" really came up to expectations and was an eye-opener and a serious reminder not only to look forward to potential new drugs, but to re-evaluate the benefits of well-known phyto-agents such as Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761®, which have shown efficacy in trials for years. In particular, the latest scientific advances still show their influence on the improvement of patients suffering from MCIs and NPS.
EGb 761® is a herbal drug for the treatment of cognitive impairment. It contains the special Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® developed by Dr. Willmar Schwabe. For more than 20 years the effects, efficacy and tolerability of EGb 761® have been systematically investigated, thus making EGb 761®today the best researched and documented herbal extract worldwide.
Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG is a world leader in the development and production of herbal drugs. Schwabe Group has approx. 3,700 employees and is active with affiliates or partners on all five continents; headquarters are based in Karlsruhe, Germany.
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