Efficacy of Riluzole in Surgical Treatment for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM-Protect)
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
CSM (Cervical spondylotic myelopathy) is the most common cause of spinal cord injury
worldwide. While there is evidence from the recently completed SpineNet prospective study
that surgical decompression is an effective treatment for CSM, it is clear that many patients
have remaining neurological impairment. While surgery is relatively safe, approximately 3% of
patients maintain a neurological problem. Given this background and data from preclinical
models of non-traumatic and traumatic spinal cord injury, there is strong evidence to
consider the potential benefit of adding a neuroprotective drug which aids in the treatment
of patients with CSM whom are undergoing surgical decompression. Riluzole is FDA-approved for
the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which has some similar clinical features to
CSM. Riluzole is currently under investigation for traumatic spinal cord injury. Given this
background, there is a strong basis to consider studying the potential neurological benefits
of Riluzole as a treatment to surgical decompression in patients with CSM.