ABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a chronic demyelinating disease that can affect cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba [GB] on improvement of memory impairment and quality of life in patients with MS. This study was an 8-week, open study of patients with MS. Thirty patients was recruited from a variety of outpatient settings. All participants met McDonald's diagnostic criteria for MS and had Wechsler score of<80. All subjects received Ginkgo 240 mg/day, TDS except one that received 120 mg/day, TDS due to history of gastritis Participants were assessed by Wechsler memory scale, MSIS-29 test and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] which measure memory, quality of life and depression respectively at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. Administration of Ginkgo significantly improved Wechsler and MSIS-29 scores. Subjects who were less impaired at baseline on the Wechsler test experienced more improvement with GB. The present study indicates Ginkgo biloba as a very well tolerated medication for improvement of cognitive impairments in people suffering from MS
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the impact of seasonal changes and weather conditions on the mood of people in Tehran. One-hundred and fifteen subjects were tested every season for one year, using UWIST, Beck's Anxiety Inventory [BAI], and Beck's Depression Inventory [BDI]. Data were analyzed by MANOV A with repeated measures. The results showed that the pattern of positive mood changes was: spring, winter, autumn, and summer [decreasing order]. An inverse pattern was found for negative moods: summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Regarding weather conditions, spring rain accompanied more positive and less negative moods. In the rainy weather, the study subjects had the best mental state. Other circumstances that would probably have some effects on people's mood were also discussed. Gender factor had no main or contributing effect. Seasons and weather conditions can affect people's mood