Two double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials of riluzole have now been carried out in more than 1,100 patients with ALS. The results of both studies show a modest benefit in prolonging survival that is statistically significant. These results led to the availability of this drug by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States beginning in early 1996. This is the first drug that has been available for ALS. It begins a new era in both basic and clinical research in an attempt to find a cure for this disease.