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. 1980 Sep;43(9):843-5.
doi: 10.1136/jnnp.43.9.843.

Effect of lecithin on disability and plasma free-choline levels in Friedreich's ataxia

S Chamberlain, N Robinson, J Walker, C Smith, S Benton, C Kennard, M Swash, B Kilkenny, S Bradbury

Effect of lecithin on disability and plasma free-choline levels in Friedreich's ataxia

S Chamberlain et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1980 Sep.

Abstract

Four patients with Friedreich's ataxia took part in an open trial, in which they consumed 50-100g/day lecithin granules (containing approximately 22% phosphatidycholine) for 16 weeks, but no improvement resulted. Several unwanted effects including diarrhoea, nausea, depression, "hot flushes" and weakness were experienced. Resting levels of free-choline in plasma were within the range found in 19 normal subjects. Sixteen other patients with Friedreich's ataxia also had normal free-choline levels. Treatment with lecithin significantly increased plasma free-choline levels, but there was a trend for these to fall towards baseline levels, despite continued ingestion of lecithin.

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