Table 2.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion criteria

Age ≥18 and ≤70 years

Written informed consent by patient or legally authorized representative to participate in the study

No other life-threatening injury

Nonpenetrating spinal cord injury at neurologic level from C4 to T11

ASIA Impairment Scale grade A, B, or C

No cognitive impairment that would preclude an informed consent, including moderate or severe traumatic brain injury

Initial dose of riluzole within 12 h of injury

Exclusion criteria

Hypersensitivity to riluzole or any of its components

Unable to receive riluzole orally or by nasogastric tube

History of liver or kidney disease (e.g., hepatitis A, B, or C or cirrhosis)

A recent history of regular substance abuse (illicit drugs or alcohol)

Unconscious

Penetrating spinal cord injury

Pregnancy as established by urine pregnancy test

Currently involved in another spinal cord injury research study

Has a mental disorder or other illness, which, in the view of the site investigator, would preclude accurate medical and neurological evaluation

Unable to commit to the follow-up schedule

Is a prisoner

Unable to converse, read, and write in English at the elementary-school level