Background: The concept for the medical treatment of vertigo has changed over the last 30 years due to recognition of the dependence of the vertiginous sensation on vestibular compensation and the dependence of vestibular compensation on the state of vigilance.
Methods: In this systematic review, experimental studies of the influence of the special ginkgo extract EGb 761 on vestibular compensation in animals and randomized, double-blind clinical studies of EGb 761 in vestibular and non-vestibular vertigo are described and critically evaluated.
Results: The beneficial effect of EGb 761 on vestibular compensation has been demonstrated in preclinical and clinical studies.
Conclusion: Evidence of the efficacy of EGb 761 for the treatment of vertiginous syndromes is presented in the available studies.