Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

873
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
873
Cognitive Development During Adulthood01:30

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

1.2K
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
1.2K
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory01:14

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

1.5K
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
1.5K
CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents01:22

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents

1.0K
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
1.0K
Language and Cognition01:27

Language and Cognition

982
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
982
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

1.2K
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
1.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Enhancement of response learning in male rats with intrastriatal infusions of a BDNF -TrkB agonist, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone.

Behavioural brain research·2025
Same author

Overexpression of the short isoform of the dopamine D2 receptor causes diet-induced obesity and hyperglycemia in mice.

Journal of neuroendocrinology·2025
Same author

Enhancement of response learning in male rats with intrastriatal infusions of a BDNF - TrkB agonist, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same author

Phenomic Microglia Diversity as a Druggable Target in the Hippocampus in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

International journal of molecular sciences·2023
Same author

Exogenous estradiol and oxytocin modulate sex differences in hippocampal reactivity during the encoding of episodic memories.

NeuroImage·2022
Same author

Revisiting and Revising Memory Consolidation: Personal Reflections on the Research Legacy of Ivan Izquierdo.

Neuroscience·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Orienteering as a Tool for Cognitive Research: An Implementation Guide
07:13

Orienteering as a Tool for Cognitive Research: An Implementation Guide

Published on: November 29, 2024

1.7K

Ginkgo biloba: A Cognitive Enhancer?

Paul E Gold1, Larry Cahill2, Gary L Wenk3

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois pgold@uiuc.edu.

Psychological Science in the Public Interest : a Journal of the American Psychological Society
|July 8, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Ginkgo biloba may offer mild cognitive enhancement, but evidence is inconsistent and lacks direct comparisons. Further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and understand its neurobiological actions and risks.

More Related Videos

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS for Memory Enhancement
10:37

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS for Memory Enhancement

Published on: September 18, 2021

16.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Orienteering as a Tool for Cognitive Research: An Implementation Guide
07:13

Orienteering as a Tool for Cognitive Research: An Implementation Guide

Published on: November 29, 2024

1.7K
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS for Memory Enhancement
10:37

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS for Memory Enhancement

Published on: September 18, 2021

16.2K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Herbal Medicine

Background:

  • Ginkgo biloba is a popular herbal supplement used for cognitive enhancement.
  • Regulation of herbal treatments like Ginkgo biloba is limited, raising questions about efficacy and safety.
  • Existing research on Ginkgo biloba's cognitive effects presents inconsistencies and methodological limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review experimental evidence on the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba for cognitive function.
  • To examine the neurobiological actions and potential health risks associated with Ginkgo biloba.
  • To critically evaluate the current scientific literature regarding Ginkgo biloba's cognitive benefits.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of human and animal studies on Ginkgo biloba's cognitive effects.
  • Analysis of neurobiological studies investigating Ginkgo biloba's mechanisms of action.
  • Assessment of reported adverse reactions to Ginkgo biloba consumption.

Main Results:

  • Human studies suggest mild cognitive enhancement, but findings are inconsistent and lack specific cognitive domain targeting.
  • Animal studies show mild behavioral effects, but also suffer from design limitations and lack of comparative analysis.
  • Neurobiological studies indicate potential mechanisms including vasodilation, neuroprotection, and neurotransmitter modulation; adverse effects are rare.

Conclusions:

  • The current body of evidence is insufficient to conclusively prove or disprove Ginkgo biloba's efficacy for cognitive enhancement.
  • Observed cognitive effects, if any, appear modest and questionable compared to established treatments.
  • Further rigorous research is required to clarify Ginkgo biloba's true cognitive impact and compare it with other interventions.