Riluzole therapy in cervical dystonia.
We conducted a 6-week open-label pilot study with blinded video rating of riluzole (50 mg twice a day) in six patients with cervical dystonia (CD) refractory to botulinum toxin A and oral pharmacological treatment. The Tsui rating scale served as primary efficacy measure and improved significantly under riluzole (P = 0.002). In three of six patients, the Tsui score improved by more than 30% with a greater 50% reduction in the head tremor/jerk subscore of the Tsui scale. These data suggest that riluzole may be helpful in a subgroup of patients with disabling CD refractory to other therapies.
Müller
Jörg
J
Department of Neurology, Innsbruck University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria.
Wenning
Gregor K
GK
Wissel
Jörg
J
Baldauf
Angelika
A
Seppi
Klaus
K
Brenneis
Christian
C
Poewe
Werner
W
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004421:Dystonia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019782:Riluzole / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D019782:Riluzole