Condition
Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Vascular cognitive impairment is a decline in thinking skills caused by poor blood supply to the brain, from strokes, small vessel disease, or long-term reduced blood flow, and it can progress to vascular dementia. Ginkgo biloba and citicoline have the most attention for it, and in one small pilot study of 80 people, blood flow in the brain went up with ginkgo. That is limited evidence from a single short study, and it measured blood flow rather than memory or daily thinking, so it says little yet about whether people thought more clearly.
Sources: PMID 21061003
- Supplements studied
- 1
- Graded outcomes
- 1
- Trials
- 1
- People studied
- 80
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
Key findings
- Cerebral Blood FlowImproves (the measure goes up)
The Vascular Cognitive Impairment & Vascular Dementia Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements
- Ginkgo Biloba240 mg EGb 761 standardized extract daily
- Citicoline (CDP-Choline)1,000–2,000 mg daily
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Vascular Cognitive Impairment. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.
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Studies cited
87 studies from PubMed
- Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review
- Efficacy and Safety of Ginkgo biloba in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb 761): Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Outcomes
- Ginkgo biloba L. Historical Background and Current Applications in Medicine
- Ginkgo biloba and Brain Health: A Comprehensive Review
- Safety Profile of Ginkgo biloba Extract: Evidence from Clinical Trials
- Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Ginkgo biloba Extract
- Neuroprotective Effects of Ginkgo biloba Extract: A Review
- Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba on Peripheral Arterial Disease: Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Extract for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Extract for Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Cochrane Review Summary
- Ginkgo biloba for Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Special Extract EGb 761 in Dementia: A Review
- Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba in Treating Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis
- Reduction of rise in blood pressure and cortisol release during stress by Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in healthy volunteers
- Effect of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) on treadmill walking time among adults with peripheral artery disease: a randomized clinical trial
- Study of the antiischemic action of EGb 761 in the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease by TcPo2 determination
- 6-Month double-blind randomised clinical trial of Ginkgo biloba extract versus placebo in two parallel groups in patients suffering from peripheral arterial insufficiency
- Reduction of atherosclerotic nanoplaque formation and size by Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) in cardiovascular high-risk patients
- Does Ginkgo biloba reduce the risk of cardiovascular events
- A new ginkgo fresh plant extract increases microcirculation and radical scavenging activity in elderly patients
- Ginkgo biloba for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a double blind, randomized controlled trial
- Polysomnographic effects of adjuvant ginkgo biloba therapy in patients with major depression medicated with trimipramine
- Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction
- A placebo-controlled study of extract of ginkgo biloba added to clozapine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia
- The effect of extract of ginkgo biloba addition to olanzapine on therapeutic effect and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with schizophrenia
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of extract of Ginkgo biloba added to haloperidol in treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and its Val66Met gene polymorphism predict tardive dyskinesia treatment response to Ginkgo biloba
- Phase II study of Ginkgo biloba in irradiated brain tumor patients: effect on cognitive function, quality of life, and mood
- Triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba in sexual dysfunction due to antidepressant drugs
- Short- and long-term effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on sexual dysfunction in women
- An examination of the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 on the neuropsychologic functioning of cognitively intact older adults
- Acute cognitive effects of standardised Ginkgo biloba extract complexed with phosphatidylserine
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in a sample of cognitively intact older adults: neuropsychological findings
- Cognitive performance, SPECT, and blood viscosity in elderly non-demented people using Ginkgo biloba
- Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761(R), donepezil or both combined in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with neuropsychiatric features: a randomised, double-blind, exploratory trial
- Efficacy and tolerability of a once daily formulation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia: results from a randomised controlled trial
- Effects of Ginkgo biloba on cerebral blood flow assessed by quantitative MR perfusion imaging: a pilot study
- Ginkgo biloba special extract in dementia with neuropsychiatric features. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial
- Proof of efficacy of the ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in outpatients suffering from mild to moderate primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type or multi-infarct dementia
- Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia with neuropsychiatric features: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial to confirm the efficacy and safety of a daily dose of 240 mg
- Effect of Western medicine therapy assisted by Ginkgo biloba tablet on vascular cognitive impairment of none dementia
- A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia. North American EGb Study Group.
- Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial
- Ginkgo biloba for the prevention of severe acute mountain sickness (AMS) starting one day before rapid ascent
- Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled comparison of ginkgo biloba and acetazolamide for prevention of acute mountain sickness among Himalayan trekkers: the prevention of high altitude illness trial (PHAIT)
- Ginkgo biloba does--and does not--prevent acute mountain sickness
- Ginkgo biloba decreases acute mountain sickness in people ascending to high altitude at Ollagüe (3696 m) in northern Chile
- Ginkgo biloba and acetazolamide prophylaxis for acute mountain sickness: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
- EGb 761 in control of acute mountain sickness and vascular reactivity to cold exposure
- Clonazepam quiets tinnitus: a randomised crossover study with Ginkgo biloba
- Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus
- Effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba in treating tinnitus: double blind, placebo controlled trial
- Effect of Ginkgo leaf extract on vascular endothelial function in patients with early stage diabetic nephropathy
- The effect of Li 1370, extract of Ginkgo biloba, on REM sleep in humans
- Ginkgo biloba for acute ischaemic stroke
- Long-term use of standardised Ginkgo biloba extract for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (GuidAge): a randomised placebo-controlled trial
- Value of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in the management of congestive symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
- Influence of Ginkgo biloba on ocular blood flow
- Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on preexisting visual field damage in normal tension glaucoma
- Ginkgo biloba extract increases ocular blood flow velocity
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba L. in treatment of premenstrual syndrome
- Specific memory effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in middle-aged healthy volunteers
- Effects of a Ginkgo biloba extract on forearm haemodynamics in healthy volunteers
- Effect of Ginkgo biloba on blood pressure and incidence of hypertension in elderly men and women
- Acute effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on vascular function and blood pressure
- Treatment of age-related memory complaints with Ginkgo biloba extract: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled study
- Ginkgo biloba for preventing cognitive decline in older adults: a randomized trial
- Safety and effectiveness of a traditional ginkgo fresh plant extract - results from a clinical trial
- Ginkgo biloba and risk of cancer: secondary analysis of the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study
- Ginkgo biloba extract for the treatment of intermittent claudication: a meta-analysis of randomized trials
- A clinical trial of Gingkco Biloba Extract in patients with intermittent claudication
- Demonstration of the efficacy of ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 on intermittent claudication--a placebo-controlled, double-blind multicenter trial
- Ginkgo biloba does not improve cognitive function in MS: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
- Clinical efficacy comparison of anti-wrinkle cosmetics containing herbal flavonoids
- Evidence of the regulatory effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on skin blood flow and study of its effects on urinary metabolites in healthy humans
- A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction
- No significant effect of ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in the treatment of primary Raynaud phenomenon: a randomized controlled trial
- To compare the efficacy and safety of nifedipine sustained release with Ginkgo biloba extract to treat patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon in South Korea; Korean Raynaud study (KOARA study)
- Effectiveness of oral Ginkgo biloba in treating limited, slowly spreading vitiligo
- Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of vitilgo vulgaris: an open label pilot clinical trial
- First preliminary results of an observation of Ginkgo Biloba treating patients with autistic disorder
- A double-blind placebo controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba added to risperidone in patients with autistic disorders
- Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Short-term effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on peripapillary retinal blood flow in normal tension glaucoma
- The efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves extract combined with ACEI/ARB on diabetic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 randomized controlled trials.
- Efficacy of ginkgo biloba extract in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.