Final answer:
Riluzole affects the neurotransmitter glutamate and is used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by reducing excitatory neurotransmission, which helps to slow disease progression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Riluzole, one of two FDA-approved agents for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), primarily affects glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. ALS is a condition characterized by the selective degeneration of motor neurons, and it is believed that these neurons are particularly susceptible to excitotoxicity, which is an injurious process instigated by excessive glutamatergic activity. As such, therapies like riluzole aim to reduce excitatory neurotransmission and the associated influx of calcium into motor neurons to slow the progression of the disease.
While the specific biological target of riluzole is somewhat controversial, it is generally thought that its mechanism of action involves the attenuation of glutamatergic excitation by modulating neurotransmitter systems that impact the activity of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors on neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). This modulation is crucial, as overactivation of these receptors can lead to metabolic and mitochondrial disturbances, ultimately resulting in neuronal cell death. Although riluzole does not cure ALS, it can extend the life expectancy of those afflicted by approximately three months.