title: Lack of efficacy of phosphatidylcholine in ataxias.
abstract: We gave phosphatidylcholine orally at a daily dosage of 9 grams for 4 years to 20 subjects with Friedreich's ataxia (FA) and 24 with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA). There was no clinical improvement during the follow-up compared with 12 ataxic patients (six FA and six OPCA) who did not receive any treatment. A 6-month trial at a double dose did not have any significant effect. This study indicates that phosphatidylcholine does not change the natural course of ataxias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sorbi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piacentini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Scisciolo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amantini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Amaducci
mesh_terms: D001259:Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009849:Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies / Q000188:drug therapy; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines