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The Big Ginkgo Dementia Trial in Plain English
The ginkgo dementia trial, known as GEM, followed more than 3,000 older adults and found that ginkgo extract did not lower the overall rate of dementia or Alzheimer disease. Here are the numbers in plain English, and what they mean for a capsule.
Written by the MemoPryl label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Who took part in the ginkgo dementia trial?
The trial enrolled 3,069 community volunteers aged 75 or older. Most had normal thinking, and some had mild cognitive impairment.
Specifically, 2,587 had normal cognition and 482 had mild cognitive impairment. It was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled, the strongest design for this kind of question (DeKosky 2008, GEM trial, JAMA).
NCCIH calls the study GEM and says participants were followed for a median of 6 years (NCCIH, Ginkgo). The paper reports 6.1 years.
That is a long window for a supplement study. Most are far shorter, which is part of why this one is cited so often.
What did the volunteers take?
One group took 120 mg of ginkgo extract twice a day. The other took a placebo.
The ginkgo group had 1,545 people and the placebo group had 1,524 (DeKosky 2008, GEM trial, JAMA). Neither the volunteers nor the staff knew who got which capsule until the end.
What did the trial find?
It found no meaningful drop in dementia or Alzheimer disease with ginkgo.
The hazard ratio was 1.12 for all-cause dementia, with a range of 0.94 to 1.33. For Alzheimer disease it was 1.16, with a range of 0.97 to 1.39. A ratio of 1 means no difference, and both ranges include 1 (DeKosky 2008, GEM trial, JAMA).
The authors concluded that the dose was not effective in reducing the overall incidence of dementia or Alzheimer disease. MSK summarizes the large trials as showing ginkgo does not improve cognitive performance or prevent Alzheimer's disease or dementia (MSK, Ginkgo).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Volunteers | 3,069, aged 75 or older |
| Dose | 120 mg of extract, twice a day |
| Follow-up | Median 6.1 years |
| Dementia result | Hazard ratio 1.12 (0.94 to 1.33) |
| Alzheimer result | Hazard ratio 1.16 (0.97 to 1.39) |
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See packsWhat can this trial not tell us?
It cannot tell us about younger adults, other doses, other extracts, or day-to-day focus.
It tested dementia over years, not whether someone felt sharper in a week. It tested one extract at one dose in people aged 75 or older. A different product in a different group could behave differently.
That is why the Cochrane review matters too. It looked at shorter studies, and its pooled effect leaned on a few trials (Cochrane 2009, ginkgo and dementia). Honest reading says the evidence is mixed, with the largest study pointing the wrong way for prevention.
Treat claims that lean on "studies" with care. Ask which study, which dose, and which people.
What does this mean for a MemoPryl buyer?
It means a ginkgo name on a label is not proof of a memory benefit, and no amount is printed for MemoPryl on any image we have.
Ginkgo biloba leaf is one of six names linked to MemoPryl through a sibling pack, unconfirmed for your bottle. Label wording such as "Optimized Memory*" is marketing language with an asterisk. See the benefits page for each claim against the research.
Keep taking any prescribed medicine, and ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start a new supplement.
Thinking about MemoPryl?Check your medicines with a pharmacist first. Prices and the 60-day window are confirmed at checkout.
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FAQ01
MemoPryl questions people ask
What does GEM stand for in the ginkgo trial?
NCCIH calls it the GEM study without expanding the name in the sources cited here. What matters is the design: more than 3,000 adults aged 75 or older, followed about six years, ginkgo against placebo.
Did the ginkgo trial find any harm?
The summaries we cite focus on dementia outcomes, not harm. Separately, NCCIH and MSK describe bleeding concerns and common side effects such as dizziness, stomach upset and headache.
Is one ginkgo trial enough to judge ginkgo?
No. It tests one dose in older adults. A Cochrane review looked at shorter studies and found a result that leaned on a few trials.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the bottle images, the seller's product notes and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Learn about our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Official stocking desk for MemoPryl, not by the manufacturer or the distributor of the bottle. We make money when you buy through our order links.
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