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.