Many scientists also point to a substance known as glutamate as having a hand in neuron death. This chemical excites cells and increases production of a destructive free radical. Researchers suspect the free radicals may continue the deadly cycle by causing more glutamate to be released. This research led to the first Food and Drug Administration approved drug for ALS, riluzole. The compound reduces glutamate-induced nerve cell damage.
Recent studies show it can prolong the life of patients approximately three months.
Although this remedy may slightly extend the patient's life, it does not halt the degenerative disease or repair damage already incurred. Scientists continue to search for additional therapies. Treatments in the pipeline include substances called growth factors which can help repair injured motor neurons. In fact, preliminary studies of a growth factor, myotrophin, demonstrate it can slow muscle function loss. Testing of another growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, suggests the drug can slow the loss of breathing ability.