1. The pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has not been fully elucidated, and it has been suggested that glutadic acid is one of the causes of cell death in this disease.
2. The mechanism of action of Lyruzole is still unclear,which may be related to inhibition of glutamate release, stabilization of voltage-dependent sodium channel inactivation, and interference with intracellular events after binding of neurotransmitters to excitatory amino acid receptors. One animal study showed that riluzole extended the survival time of transgenic animal models with ALS.
3. A variety of animal models of excitatory nerve injury showed that Riluzole had neuroprotective effect. In vitro studies have shown that liruzole can protect cultured rat motor neurons from excitatory toxic damage caused by glutamate and inhibit cortical cell death caused by hypoxia.

Riluzole belongs to the derivative of benzothiazole with neuroprotective, potential anti-depressant and anxiolytic activities, which is used in the treatment of a certain type of nerve disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). It is effective to delay the onset of ventilator-dependence or tracheostomy in selected patients, slow down the deterioration of this disease and probably prolong survival by approximately two to three months. Besides, studies have proved that riluzole has anti-depressant activity for refractory depression and serves as an anxiolytic in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

However, riluzole does not cure the ALS and reverse nerve damage or muscle weakness. It is believed to function as an inhibitor of a natural substance called glutamate. It helps protect the nerves in the brain and spinal cord from too much of glutamate which may contribute to the nerve damage. Riluzole is available in both tablet and liquid form. The liquid formulation may be more suitable for patients with swallowing difficulties