The Role of Glutamatergic Function in the Pathophysiology of Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia

Exclusion criteria

• . History of significant co-morbid central nervous system (CNS) disorder (including significant head trauma or significant loss of consciousness, Parkinson's Disease, Epilepsy, Alzheimer's Dementia, Huntington's Disease);
• . Current use of medication with recognized effect on glutamatergic signaling (e.g. lamotrigine, lithium, carbamazepine, opiates, and psychostimulants) OR medication that is known to interact with riluzole (eg: ciprofloxacin, combined hormonal contraceptives, enoxacin, fluvoxamine, charcoal boiled (grilled) foods, methoxasalen, rucaparib, osilodrostat, mexiletine, nicergoline, pipemidic acid, rifampicin, tiabendazole, vemurafenib);
• . Any absolute contra-indication to riluzole according to the British National Formulary (such as interstitial lung disease, current pregnancy or lactation, severe hepatic impairment liver function tests more than 3x Upper limit of normal, acute porphyria, pancreatitis);
• . Pregnancy and/or breast-feeding;
• . Substance dependence/abuse other than to cigarettes;
• . Current high suicide risk or other significant safety risk as judged by the patient's psychiatrist or study physician;
• . Current homicidal ideation or intent;
• . Participation in a clinical study of unlicensed medicines within the previous 30 days;