A new research has suggested that using ginkgo biloba extract for long-term can lessen the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 47 percent.

In the French GuidAge research, research groups of elderly people with memory complaints were randomly assigned 240 milligrams on a daily basis of ginkgo extract, or a placebo, to be taken every day.

Researchers discovered that four years later, 29 out of 966 people who were given the placebo developed Alzheimer's disease as compared with 15 out of 947 of the subjects who took the ginkgo extract EGb 761.

Professor Michael Habs, Managing Director at Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, producers of EGb 761, described the research as significant.

Prof. Habs said, "It is the first time ever that a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease has been demonstrated for a medicine. The multifaceted effects of the plant extract appear to positively influence the complex developmental processes of dementia."

Professor Ralf Ihl, director of the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry at Germany's Dusseldorf University, stated, "There have been hints that ginkgo biloba may exert a preventive effect. With the findings of this study we have first scientifically verifiable results suggesting that the extract may be useful for preventing the development of Alzheimer''s disease." (With Inputs from Agencies)