THE CHOSUNILBO | By Kwak Soo-keun
At a recent symposium titled “Symposium on Dementia Prevention and Treatment in a Super-Aged Society and Future Response Strategies,” co-hosted by the Korean Medical and Bio Journalists Association and the Korean Dementia Association, Professor Choi Ho-jin from the Department of Neurology at Hanyang University Guri Hospital explained that dementia does not occur suddenly but progresses gradually along a continuum from subjective cognitive decline (SCD) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia.
He emphasised that once the disease reaches an advanced stage, cure and recovery become practically impossible, making “early management” before symptoms fully manifest the key.
According to the “Dementia Risk Factors Report” published last year by the global medical journal The Lancet, over 40% of dementia risk factors can be reduced through lifestyle management.
Additionally, a two-year program targeting 1,200 elderly individuals in Northern Europe—focusing on dietary improvements, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk factor management—slowed the rate of cognitive decline compared to a control group.
Professor Choi stated, “Managing cognitive function requires a multifaceted approach to chronic disease factors such as blood pressure and diabetes, making medical intervention essential.”
The symposium highlighted ginkgo leaf extract as a medication-based treatment example.
Widely recognised as a blood circulation improver, ginkgo leaf extract aids in treating cognitive disorders like dementia by enhancing cerebral blood flow and improving cognitive function.
Professor Choi noted, “Ginkgo leaf extract helps delay cognitive decline through various mechanisms, including improved cerebral blood flow, antioxidant effects, and neuroprotection.”
In its 2021 consensus statement, the Asia Cognitive Neurological Disorders Expert Group (ASCEND) designated ginkgo leaf extract as the only agent recommended as “Class I, Level A” for treating MCI symptoms.
A study tracking over 24,000 patients aged 65+ diagnosed with MCI for an average of 3.8 years (up to 20 years) between 2000 and 2019 found that those who took ginkgo leaf extract five or more times had a 42% lower risk of progressing to dementia.
Based on this evidence, some European countries, including Germany, Austria, and Spain, have approved ginkgo leaf extract as a medication for managing MCI symptoms.
Ginkgo leaf extract is also used in health functional foods, often mixed with phosphatidylserine. However, dosages differ: health functional foods contain a maximum of 150 mg per day, while pharmaceuticals for treating MCI typically use 240 mg.
Professor Choi Ho-jin concluded, “Since treatment approaches must vary depending on the disease’s progression and response to medication, visiting a medical institution early and receiving continuous treatment from the onset of symptoms is the most effective way to prevent severe dementia.”