Choline chloride in the treatment of cerebellar and spinocerebellar ataxia.
The use of orally administered choline chloride in the treatment of cerebellar and spinocerebellar ataxia was investigated by a short-term double-blind crossover trial in 20 patients with ataxia. These patients, who include 7 with Friedreich's ataxia, 7 with mixed spinocerebellar ataxia and 6 will primary cerebellar degeneration received placebo and 6g/day or 12g/day of choline with crossover at 6 weeks. Serum choline levels were measured 1 h after the first daily dose. Mild but significant improvement in upper limb co-ordination was noted in 3 patients with Friedreich's ataxia, 3 with mixed ataxia and 4 patients with primary cerebellar degeneration. Improvement in gait and lower limb co-ordination was observed in only 2 patients (one with cerebellar ataxia and 1 with mixed ataxia) There was no correlation between serum choline levels and clinical response to choline. Choline chloride produces a mild but functionally significant improvement in motor co-ordination in some patients with cerebellar and spinocerebellar ataxia.
D000328:Adult; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002794:Choline / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005621:Friedreich Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002794:Choline