Effects of Riluzole on CNS Glutamate and Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors With High Inflammation
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2019-10-24
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The goal of the proposed research is to determine whether riluzole, a drug that increases
glutamate reuptake, will decrease central nervous system (CNS) glutamate in breast cancer
survivors with increased inflammation and fatigue. The researchers will also determine
whether decreasing glutamate with riluzole will reverse inflammation-related fatigue and
other symptoms including cognitive dysfunction and decreased motivation. To accomplish these
goals, the researchers plan to conduct an 8 week, double-blind, randomized control trial of
riluzole (100 mg/d) versus placebo in 40 breast cancer survivors (n=20 per group). All breast
cancer survivors will have completed treatment within 1-3 years and have a fatigue level of
≥4 (on a 10 point scale) and a plasma c-reactive protein (CRP) concentration >3mg/L
(indicative of high inflammation). Participants will undergo magnetic resonance spectroscopy
(MRS) to measure CNS glutamate before and after 2 and 8 weeks of riluzole or placebo
treatment. Fatigue and other behavioral assessments including measures of cognitive function
and motivation will be conducted before and after treatment and correlated with the change in
CNS glutamate.