Question

A patient is in the clinic after 6 weeks of taking riluzole (Rilutek) for a recent diagnosis. What is the primary purpose of riluzole in this context?

a) Pain relief
b) Immune system boost
c) Antidepressant effect
d) Slowing progression of neurodegenerative disease

Answer 1

Riluzole (Rilutek) is primarily used to slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS by reducing excitatory neurotransmission and limiting calcium influx into motor neurons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary purpose of riluzole (Rilutek) in the treatment of patients with a recent diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease, specifically Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is to slow the progression of the disease. This medication works by decreasing excitatory neurotransmitter activity, particularly that of glutamate, which is believed to contribute to the neuropathology of ALS. Motor neurons are particularly susceptible to excitotoxicity due to their expression of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors and strong glutamatergic input. An excess of glutamatergic excitation can lead to an overwhelming of the cell's calcium buffering capacity, ultimately resulting in cell death. By lowering glutamate's excitatory activity, riluzole helps in reducing the influx of calcium into motor neurons, thus slowing disease progression.