Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings PowerPoint® Lectures Lectures by Chris Romero, Front Range Community College The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba Current Issues in Biology, Volume 1 Scientific American

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba Gingko biloba is a popular herbal supplement that reportedly improves memory, learning, and other cognitive functions. Concept Review

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 Few studies on gingko biloba have focused on healthy young adults. - Those that have showed some improvement of short- term memory. Concept Review

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 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. Concept Review

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 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. Testing Your Comprehension

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 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. Testing Your Comprehension

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 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. Testing Your Comprehension

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 Because gingko biloba is an herbal remedy, the FDA does not regulate it. Do you agree with this policy? Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree A. E. C. B. D. Biology In Society

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings 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 Strongly Disagree A. E. C. B. D.

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings The Lowdown on Gingko Biloba Which of the following problems are associated with research into the effects of so-called “brain-boosters” on human cognition? a)large sample sizes b)ease of reproducibility c)difficulty generalizing across populations d)all of the above Thinking About Science

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