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Riluzole 23 Mar 99 Someone here recently inquired about participating in a trial of riluzole (Rilutek) for PD. If not already answered, here's a little about it. N-Methyl D-Aspartate (NMDA) is one of the neurotransmitters called glutamates, thought to be neurotoxic and important in PD, so researchers are looking for an NMDA inhibitor. Amantadine (Symmetrel) inhibits NMDA, but weakly. Other inhibitors may have serious adverse effects. Riluzole is one of those, but is already approved for use against ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease) because there seems to be nothing better available. In previous trials, riluzole slowed the progression of ALS and delayed the need for tracheostomy in such patients, but it sometimes had to be dropped due to indications (elevated ALT) of liver damage. Therefore, like Tasmar, riluzole must be accompanied by periodic blood tests to ensure safety. Cheers, Joe -- J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013