Chinese herbs may help dementia, say Australian researchers

• Australian scientists are recruiting dementia sufferers for a trial into whether Chinese herbs can slow the progress of the disease.
• The University of Western Sydney researchers want to test whether a concoction of three common Chinese herbs, including gingko, can improve brain function and slow memory loss.
• About 80 vascular dementia sufferers aged 60 and over are needed for the study, at Sydney's Bankstown Hospital, which will require them to take a capsule three times a day for four months.
• They will also undergo monthly memory testing and other performance tests to gauge the progression of the disease.
• Dennis Chang, a senior lecturer at the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research (CompleMED), said pre-clinical testing in animals suggested the herbs could boost memory and brain function.
• "There are several potential mechanisms through experimental data suggesting these herbs can increase blood circulation to the brain, reduce cholesterol levels and directly stimulate the brain tissue for a better mental performance," Dr Chang said.
• Disturbing figures released earlier this week by Alzheimer's Australia found about 1000 Australians will be diagnosed with dementia every week this year.
• More than 200,000 people would be living with the incurable disease by the end of 2005, the Access Economics report predicted.
• Dr Chang said vascular dementia, associated with problems in the circulation of blood to the brain, accounted for 15 to 20 per cent of all dementia cases.
• "We are cautiously optimistic this study will provide us with some much-needed clinical evidence about a possible new treatment option for vascular dementia that may ease some of the burden on the community and the health system," he said.
• The trial is being carried out in partnership with the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Xi Yuan Hospital in Beijing.