Neuroprotection of the Compressed Spine: A Systematized Narrative Review of Riluzole for Humans with Spinal Cord Injury.

Authors

• Teleale F Gebeyehu
• Ashmal S Kabani
• Adam Leibold
• James S Harrop

Publication/Presentation Date

10-1-2026

Abstract

Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is associated with significant disability and limited neurologic recovery, largely due to a complex secondary injury cascade that lacks established pharmacologic therapy. This narrative review summarizes relevant randomized controlled trials, secondary analyses, and meta-analyses evaluating Riluzole in tSCI and degenerative cervical myelopathy. It examines pharmacologic mechanisms, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships, biomarker findings, clinical and functional outcomes, safety considerations, and implications for future clinical research. Although primary efficacy endpoints were not uniformly met, multiple studies reported improved neurologic, functional, and patient-reported outcomes. Other agents with potential use or future promise are also highlighted.

Volume

37

Issue

4

First Page

567

Last Page

581

ISSN

1558-1349

Published In/Presented At

Gebeyehu, T. F., Kabani, A. S., Leibold, A., & Harrop, J. S. (2026). Neuroprotection of the Compressed Spine: A Systematized Narrative Review of Riluzole for Humans with Spinal Cord Injury. Neurosurgery clinics of North America, 37(4), 567–581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nec.2026.05.007

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

42686283

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article