Ataxia

Five questions people ask, put to Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode and ChatGPT in November 2026.

Got the NHS facts right

87%

13 of 15 answers

1 didn’t say1 unconfirmed

Got the NHS facts right

5 of 5

Got the NHS facts right

5 of 5

Got the NHS facts right

3 of 5

1 didn’t say1 unconfirmed

Got the NHS facts rightNovember 2026

AI Overviews 5 of 5

AI Mode 5 of 5

ChatGPT 3 of 5

History starts when there is a second month to compare. November 2026 is the first.

Cited NHS or accredited sources

42%

5 of 12 answers with sources

1 other UK only6 nothing from the UK

Cited NHS or accredited sources

2 of 5

3 nothing from the UK

Cited NHS or accredited sources

1 of 5

1 other UK only3 nothing from the UK

Cited NHS or accredited sources

2 of 2

Cited NHS or accredited sourcesNovember 2026

AI Overviews 2 of 5

AI Mode 1 of 5

ChatGPT 2 of 2

History starts when there is a second month to compare. November 2026 is the first.

The questions

Question

The NHS says

AI Overviews

AI Mode

ChatGPT

Is there a cure for ataxia or just treatment for the symptoms?

No cure in most

Google AI Overviews Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says no cure in most cases

Google AI Mode Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says no cure in most cases

ChatGPT (logged out) Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says no cure in most cases

If I have autosomal dominant ataxia, what are the chances of my children getting it?

1 in 2 chance

Google AI Overviews Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says 1 in 2 chance of developing it

Google AI Mode Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says 1 in 2 chance of developing it

●Didn’t say on ChatGPT ChatGPT (logged out) Does not say

---

The NHS says 1 in 2 chance of developing it

If both parents are carriers of the Friedreich's ataxia gene, what is the chance their baby develops ataxia?

1 in 4 chance

Google AI Overviews Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says 1 in 4 chance of developing ataxia

Google AI Mode Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says 1 in 4 chance of developing ataxia

ChatGPT (logged out) Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says 1 in 4 chance of developing ataxia

I keep losing my balance and have trouble walking and swallowing. Should I see a GP?

Visit GP

Google AI Overviews Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says visit GP for unexplained balance problems

Google AI Mode Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says visit GP for unexplained balance problems

ChatGPT (logged out) Unconfirmed The first check found different: Contradicts the NHS. The NHS says: Visit GP for unexplained balance problems. The second check disagreed, so it isn’t counted.

Can drinking too much alcohol cause ataxia?

Yes, long-term

Google AI Overviews Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says excessive alcohol can cause ataxia

Google AI Mode Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says excessive alcohol can cause ataxia

ChatGPT (logged out) Matches the NHS

---

The NHS says excessive alcohol can cause ataxia

Matches the NHS Unconfirmed

Where the answers came from

Answers, of 12 with sources

NHS websiteNHS5

Ataxia UKUK charity4 National Ataxia FoundationUS website2 Mayo ClinicUS hospital2 PubMed CentralUS government2 NCBI Bookshelf (US National Library of Medicine)US government2

Where the answers came from

Answers, of 5 with sources

NHS websiteNHS2

Ataxia UKUK charity1

Beike Cell TherapyCN hospital1

JAMA NetworkUS health website1 MedlinePlusUS government1

Clinics JoJO hospital1

Where the answers came from

Answers, of 5 with sources

Ataxia UKUK charity1 Mayo ClinicUS hospital1 Incite FulmedUnknown1 NCBI Bookshelf (US National Library of Medicine)US government1

NHS websiteNHS1

PubMed CentralUS government1

Where the answers came from

Answers, of 2 with sources

NHS websiteNHS2

Ataxia UKUK charity2

NHS informNHS1

NCBI Bookshelf (US National Library of Medicine)US government1

UK charities for ataxia Ataxia UK