Riluzole Is Ineffective in PD and MSA (Movement Disorders Congress 2002)

Subject: Riluzole Is Ineffective in PD and MSA (Movement Disorders Congress 2002)

Date: 11/29/2002

E-MOVE reports from the Seventh International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, November 10-14 in Miami, Florida. Poster (P), platform session (PL), and page numbers are from Movement Disorders 2002;17(suppl 5).

1. A 2-year, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study of the effect of riluzole on Parkinson's disease progression
O Rascol, W Olanow, D Brooks, G Koch, P Truffinet, R Bejuit
P80;S39

Riluzole does not slow the progression of early Parkinson's disease, according to this study.

One thousand eighty-four de novo PD patients were randomized to placebo or riluzole at 100 or 200 mg/day. An interim analysis indicated that the probability of commencing dopaminergic therapy within 18 months of diagnosis was 0.69 for placebo and 0.71 for riluzole. No treatment effects were seen on UPDRS or imaging endpoints.

2. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of riluzole in multiple system atrophy
G Wenning, K Seppi, A Diem, Z Puschban, J Mueller, W Poewe
P81;S40

Ten MSA patients with parkinsonism at baseline were randomized to placebo or 200 mg/day riluzole for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout, and crossover to the other arm. UPDRS-motor scores deteriorated over the course of the trial, with no significant difference between treatment arms.

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2002 E-MOVE conference reports are made possible in part through unrestricted educational grants from these sponsors:
Gold Level: Bertek Pharmaceuticals, Elan Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacia Corporation.
Silver Level: GlaxoSmithKline, Amarin Pharmaceuticals
Bronze Level: Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Schwarz Pharma.

E-MOVE Editor: Richard Robinson, NASW, WE MOVE

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