Comparative effects of glibenclamide and riluzole in a rat model of severe cervical spinal cord injury

►Glibenclamide (GLIB) and riluzole (RIZ) are emerging treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI). ►GLIB blocks the regulatory subunit of SUR1-regluated NC(Ca-ATP) channels. ►Here, we report that RIZ blocks the putative pore-forming subunit, TRPM4. ►In a rat model of SCI, GLIB and RIZ both reduced progressive hemorrhagic necrosis. ►By week 6, complex function and lesion size were significantly better with GLIB than with RIZ.