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Ginkgo biloba and longitudinal changes in amyloid PET and plasma amyloid-β oligomerization in amyloid-positive mild cognitive impairment: A retrospective analysis
YoungSoon Yang, Yong Tae Kwak. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease, 2026-04-15
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Background Amyloid PET–positive mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its longitudinal clinical and biomarker trajectories vary considerably. Evidence linking oral interventions to amyloid-related biomarkers in this population remains limited. Objective To compare 18-month clinical outcomes and longitudinal changes in plasma amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomerization tendency and amyloid PET burden according to Ginkgo biloba use in amyloid PET–positive MCI. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 35 amyloid PET–positive MCI patients who underwent baseline and 18-month clinical evaluations, serial plasma Aβ oligomerization measurements using the Multimer Detection System–Oligomerized Aβ (MDS-OAβ) assay, and paired baseline and 18-month 18 F-FC119S amyloid PET. Patients received Ginkgo biloba extract 240 mg/day (n = 21) or Non-Ginkgo cognitive enhancers (n = 14). Clinical stability, conversion to AD dementia (Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living ≥0.40), changes in MDS-OAβ, and changes in global cortical standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) were assessed. Results Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. At 18 months, all Ginkgo-treated patients remained clinically stable, whereas 57.1% of Non-Ginkgo patients showed cognitive decline. Conversion to AD dementia occurred in none of the Ginkgo group and in 28.6% of the Non-Ginkgo group. Plasma MDS-OAβ decreased with Ginkgo but increased without Ginkgo. Global amyloid PET SUVR remained stable in the Ginkgo group and increased in the Non-Ginkgo group. Conclusions In amyloid PET–positive MCI, Ginkgo biloba use was associated with sustained clinical stability, reduced plasma Aβ oligomerization tendency, and attenuation of amyloid PET progression over 18 months.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Yang, Y., & Kwak, Y. T. (2026). Ginkgo biloba and longitudinal changes in amyloid PET and plasma amyloid-β oligomerization in amyloid-positive mild cognitive impairment: A retrospective analysis. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease. https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877261441816
Vancouver
Yang Y, Kwak YT. Ginkgo biloba and longitudinal changes in amyloid PET and plasma amyloid-β oligomerization in amyloid-positive mild cognitive impairment: A retrospective analysis. Journal of Alzheimer s Disease. 2026. doi:10.1177/13872877261441816. PMID: 41984497.
BibTeX
@article{yang2026-41984497,
author = {Yang, YoungSoon and Kwak, Yong Tae},
title = {{Ginkgo biloba and longitudinal changes in amyloid PET and plasma amyloid-β oligomerization in amyloid-positive mild cognitive impairment: A retrospective analysis}},
journal = {Journal of Alzheimer s Disease},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1177/13872877261441816},
pmid = {41984497},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877261441816}
}
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Key findings
- Results Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups.
- Conclusions In amyloid PET–positive MCI, Ginkgo biloba use was associated with sustained clinical stability, reduced plasma Aβ oligomerization tendency, and attenuation of amyloid PET progression over 18 months.
Why it matters
In this small retrospective study of 35 amyloid PET-positive mild cognitive impairment patients, those taking Ginkgo biloba extract remained clinically stable over 18 months, while 57.1% of those not taking it showed cognitive decline, and none of the Ginkgo group converted to Alzheimer's disease dementia versus 28.6% of the non-Ginkgo group. This is a retrospective analysis, not a randomized trial, so it cannot prove that Ginkgo biloba treats or prevents Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Study designcohort study
- Participants21
- Effect size57.1%; 28.6%
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a cohort study following people over time. Scored zero for randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Alzheimer s Disease) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of Alzheimer s Disease: journal h-index 218 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A cohort study following people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 21 participants |
| Effect reported | 2 / 3 | Effect reported as a number, without an interval or test |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.5 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Yong Tae Kwak: h-index 15 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Soonchunhyang University: institution h-index 265 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41984497) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
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