What is the mechanism of action of riluzole?

Nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are connected to each other by messenger substances (“neurotransmitters”). In ALS, glutamate is present in increased concentrations in the connection between nerve cells. Riluzole is a drug that reduces the concentration of glutamate in the space between nerve cells (synaptic cleft). An excess of the neurotransmitter glutamate has a damaging effect on certain nerve cells. This damaging effect of excess glutamate is limited by riluzole. To understand the glutamate effect and the effect of riluzole, it is relevant that the concentration of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain is separated from the metabolic product glutamate by the blood-brain barrier. There is therefore no direct relationship between the glutamate within the brain (function of glutamate as a “neurotransmitter”) and the glutamate concentration in the rest of the body (function of glutamate as a “metabolic product”). Therefore, the mode of action of riluzole is not influenced by food intake, especially by a diet containing glutamate.