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May 11, 2005

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http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/newspub/releases/042705ginkgo.cfm

OHSU Study Finds Ginkgo Beneficial For MS Symptoms (April 27, 2005)

Many patients already take herbal supplement available over counter

PORTLAND, Ore. - When it comes to her health, Janice Winfield of Portland, Ore., does her research.

That's why the stay-at-home mom, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in July 2000, was willing to turn to popular, over-the-counter herbal supplements like ginkgo biloba to deal with memory problems, fatigue and occasional muscle pain.

"I'm definitely interested in alternative medicine," said Winfield, 49, whose form of the neurological disease - relapsing-remitting MS - is characterized by frequent symptom flare-ups. Ginkgo "is not only given to someone like me with MS. There's benefit to anyone taking it."

Findings by scientists in the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine's Department of Neurology and the OHSU MS Center of Oregon appear to back up that claim. A study presented this month at the American Academy of Neurology's 57th Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Fla., suggests that ginkgo may be effective in improving attention in MS patients with cognitive impairment. Side effects also were minimal.

The study's lead author, Jesus Lovera, M.D., a research fellow and instructor in neurology, OHSU School of Medicine, said those receiving ginkgo "performed better on a test that measures a person's ability to pay attention and to sort conflicting information."

Of 39 patients completing the study, 20 received ginkgo biloba and 19 received placebo. Researchers found there were no differences in results between the two groups in the areas of gender, education, type of MS, years since onset, or baseline performance on a battery of neuropsychological tests.

But the ginkgo group was four seconds - about 13 percent - faster than the placebo group on a timed color and word test that measures attention and such "executive functions" as planning, decision making, and controlling goal-directed behavior and execution of deliberate actions.

During the test, called a "Stroop," patients are shown colored boxes and asked to name the colors. They are then shown the names of colors printed with different-colored inks, such as the word "green" printed in red, and asked to read the word. Finally, patients are asked to describe the ink used for each word.

Lovera said the differences in the Stroop result would be comparable to differences in scores between healthy people ages 30 to 39 and those ages 50 to 59.

Ginkgo appeared to be more beneficial for MS patients having specific problems in the Stroop, so "we would like to do another study in which we choose patients that are impaired in this particular test," Lovera said. "We would also like to test it at higher doses."

Ginko biloba is among several complementary and alternative medicine therapies being investigated by OHSU's Department of Neurology for their effects on symptoms of neurological disease. Studies have ranged from clinical trials of lactoferrin for treating Alzheimer's disease to the use of yoga as a therapy for MS fatigue.

Ginkgo is derived from the leaves of the ginkgo tree, one of the oldest species of trees, and has been used for thousands of years by the Chinese as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. It contains potent antioxidants called flavoglycosides that have been shown to have neuroprotective effects in animal models of spinal cord injury. It also has terpene-lactones that block a substance known as platelet activitating factor, which is important in regulating blood vessel function as well as the mediating inflammation and the sticking of inflammatory cells to blood vessels.

Many MS patients have long suspected that ginkgo improves disease symptoms. In a recent survey of 1,913 patients in Oregon, 20 percent reported using the supplement and 39 percent found it to be beneficial. However, until now, there was no evidence the supplement had any effect on memory.

"It has been shown to be of benefit in Alzheimer's, but we did not know if it would work for MS," Lovera said. "We wanted to see if there was any suggestion that it could help patients with MS that are having cognitive problems."

Lovera said the study results demonstrate that ginkgo shouldn't be discounted for treating MS, but its safety and efficacy must be tested in much larger clinical trials before doctors should recommend it to their patients.

"The study suggests that for cognitive problems, it may only help a certain group of patients," he said. "We need to study this further."

And for MS sufferers like Winfield, who participated in the ginkgo study, the herbal supplement will remain one of the many weapons in her arsenal for fighting the disease.

"I would do it again," she said of taking ginkgo. "It could have a benefit for me that I didn't have before." But she emphasizes that "every MS is different, so what might work for me may not work for anybody else. But when it comes to alternative medicine, I'm all for that."

The study was supported by the National MS Society, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Center Without Walls.

No information in this letter should be construed as medical advice. This information is for educational purposes only.Jeff el10360 Pine Lakes BlvdNorth Fort Myers, Fl 33903239-731-2655http://www.msprotocols.com/

March 6, 2006

My nutty boss is crazy. They are moving out 21,000 cubic feet of boxes

here and asking all employees help. Dust mania on top of mold. He

just said not much dust in here. He is so stupid. This place has never

been dusted in the 24+ years in here and I mean never so how could it

not be dusty. He is pathetic and i've been here longer than him. Maybe

my doc can pull me out of here for at least a month while starting

treatment etc. Maybe the nutty boss will get it then. Wants me to

record stuff but I'll have to be right there where all that crap is

being moved. He just doesn't get it and I'd like to walk out of here.

If I have to do this, will wear a N95 mask. Last time they did this my

other boss knew I have allergies and didn't ask me to do this. Now a

big huge chick here uses she has arthritis and she gets out of this

job. Now doing stuff at my house I didn't mind b/c had too but this is

retarded and all them mites and spores flying around and in my hair,

face and all over clothes. I hate this place.

Rhonda

March 6, 2006

Rhonda it seems you are posting from your work place. Do they monitor

emails?

If so, I would lovingly advise that you be careful what you say in these

emails such as " nutty boss is crazy " , " he's pathetic " , etc. He's the boss

Rhonda and if the emails are being monitored you could get into serious

trouble.

You may not like having to help move boxes; however I recall when I worked

for a large corporation during remodeling times we were all asked to assist

with the move--from managers down to the hourly employees.

Be careful Rhonda what you write in the emails you post from work; you may

not like your job--hate it as you said; however you are still employed, have

a salary and benefits and able to consult with the specialist M.D. this

Wednesday. Many on this group would like that opportunity but have no

insurance or insurance that would not cover this specialized physician.

Just my petals of thoughts,

Rosie

On Behalf Of Rhonda