Transcript The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba

The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Current Issues in Biology, Volume 1
Scientific American
PowerPoint® Lectures
Lectures by Chris Romero, Front Range Community College
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Concept Review
• Gingko biloba is a popular
herbal supplement that
reportedly improves memory,
learning, and other cognitive
functions.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Concept Review
• Studies that examined the effect of gingko treatments on
individuals with mild to moderate mental impairment have
shown improvement of various cognitive abilities.
- However, some placebo-based studies have shown no
difference in cognitive abilities.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Concept Review
• Researchers cannot say
exactly what gingko
biloba does, but they
have found that it effects
the brain in several ways.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Concept Review
• Few studies on gingko biloba have focused on healthy
young adults.
- Those that have showed some improvement of shortterm memory.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Concept Review
• Since production of gingko biloba is unregulated, its
manufacturers have not been required to test it on animals.
- Consequently, there are few reports of its efficacy in
improving learning in animals.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Concept Review
• Given the available evidence, it is difficult to conclude that
gingko biloba actually improves cognitive performance.
- In fact glucose, a sugar found in everyday foods, has
been shown to improve cognitive performance.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Concept Review
• Evidence supporting the effectiveness of gingko biloba has
been reported in some research studies.
-But there are too few studies on which to base clear
recommendations for its use.
- Many more studies are needed to confirm or deny the
value of taking this supplement
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Testing Your Comprehension
Why doesn’t the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulate
the use of gingko biloba?
a) It is an herbal supplement.
b) It is naturally derived.
c) It has never been proven to be harmful.
d) It is a common drug.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Testing Your Comprehension
Why doesn’t the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulate
the use of gingko biloba?
a) It is an herbal supplement.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Testing Your Comprehension
Which of the following is NOT believed to be an effect of
gingko biloba on the brain?
a) It increases brain circulation.
b) It stimulates the growth of new synapses between
neurons.
c) It increases the absorption of glucose.
d) It affects the neurotransmitter production and
release.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Testing Your Comprehension
Which of the following is NOT believed to be an effect of
gingko biloba on the brain?
b) It stimulates the growth of new synapses between
neurons.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Testing Your Comprehension
Which of the following statements best summarizes the
current scientific understanding of the effects of gingko
biloba on human cognition?
a) Gingko biloba probably has no effect on cognition.
b) Gingko biloba appears to slightly decrease
cognitive functions, but the effect is small
c) Gingko biloba appears to slightly increase
cognitive functions, but the effect is small.
d) Gingko biloba appears to increase cognitive
functions a lot.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Testing Your Comprehension
Which of the following statements best summarizes the
current scientific understanding of the effects of gingko
biloba on human cognition?
c) Gingko biloba appears to slightly increase
cognitive functions, but the effect is small.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Biology In Society
Because gingko biloba is an herbal remedy, the FDA does
not regulate it. Do you agree with this policy?
Strongly
Agree
A.
B.
C.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
D.
E.
Strongly
Disagree
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Biology In Society
If you were caretaker of an Alzheimer’s patient, would you
give permission for them to participate in a study on gingko
biloba?
Strongly
Agree
A.
B.
C.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
D.
E.
Strongly
Disagree
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Thinking About Science
Which of the following problems are associated with
research into the effects of so-called “brain-boosters” on
human cognition?
a)
b)
c)
d)
large sample sizes
ease of reproducibility
difficulty generalizing across populations
all of the above
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba
Thinking About Science
Which of the following problems are associated with
research into the effects of so-called “brain-boosters” on
human cognition?
c) difficulty generalizing across populations
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings