Table 3. Comparison of riluzole and lamotrigine.

	Riluzole	Lamotrigine
Neuroprotective	Yes	Yes
Anticonvulsant	Yes	Yes
Efficacy in acute MDD	Yes (only open-label studies)	? Yes (the majority of controlled studies are not positive; clear evidence in maintenance treatment)
Inhibition of voltage-gated Na+ channels	Yes	Yes
Ca2+ channel blockade	Yes (P/Q type)	Yes (N- and P-type)
AMPA potentiator	Yes	Yes
Increased expression of BDNF	Yes	??
Dose titration	None or rapid	Very slow
Steven-Johnson’s syndrome	No	Yes
Response to the other agent	3 out of 4 lamotrigine responders responded to riluzole	?