Efficacy of Riluzole in Surgical Treatment for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM-Protect)

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 80 years * Diagnosis of symptomatic cervical spondylotic myelopathy defined as a combination of: 1. one or more of the following symptoms: * Numb hands * Clumsy hands * Impairment of gait * Bilateral arm paresthesiae * l'Hermitte's phenomena * Weakness And, 2. one or more of the following signs: * Corticospinal distribution motor deficits * Atrophy of hand intrinsic muscles * Hyperreflexia * Positive Hoffman sign * Upgoing plantar responses * Lower limb spasticity * Broad based, unstable gait And, 3. MRI evidence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy * Scheduled for an elective surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy * Preoperative mJOA score ≥8 and ≤14 * Women of child bearing potential must be: * Postmenopausal defined as amenorrhea for at least 2 years. * Surgically sterile, (have had a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation, or otherwise be incapable of pregnancy) * Abstinent (at the discretion of the investigator) * Having other congenital or medical condition that prevents subject from becoming pregnant * If sexually active, be practicing an effective method of birth control such as hormonal prescription oral contraceptives, progesterone implants or injections, intrauterine device (IUD), or male partner with a vasectomy. A double-barrier method such as condoms, diaphragms or cervical caps with spermicidal foam, cream or gel may be used as a birth control method. * Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) pregnancy test or a negative urine pregnancy test at screening before the first dose of study drug is received. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous surgery for CSM * Concomitant symptomatic lumbar stenosis * CSM symptoms due to cervical trauma (at the discretion of the investigator) * Hypersensitivity to riluzole or any of its components * Neutropenia measured as absolute neutrophil count (ANC) measured in cells per microliter of blood of \< 1500 at screening visit * Creatinine level of \> 1.2 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dl) in males or \> 1.1 milligrams per deciliter in females at screening visit Liver enzymes (ALT or AST) 3x higher than normal values at screening visit. * Liver enzymes (ALT or AST) 3x higher than normal values at screening visit. * Subject will be using any of the following medications which are classified as CYP1A2 inhibitors or inducers\*during the course of the drug regimen: Inhibitors: * Ciprofloxacin * Enoxacin * Fluvoxamine * Methoxsalen * Mexiletine * Oral contraceptives * Phenylpropanolamine * Thiabendazole * Zileuton Inducers: * Montelukast * Phenytoin \*Note: no washout period required; if these medications are discontinued, subjects are eligible to be enrolled in the trial. * Systemic infection such as AIDS, HIV, and active hepatitis * Active malignancy defined as history of invasive malignancy, except if the patient has received treatment and displayed no clinical signs and symptoms for at least five years * Recent history (less than 3 years) of chemical substance dependency or significant psychosocial disturbance that may impact the outcome or study participation * Breastfeeding at screening visit and plan to continue during the course of the study drug * Unlikely to comply with the follow-up evaluation schedule * Unlikely to comply with investigational drug regime * Participation in a clinical trial of another investigational drug or device within the past 30 days * Is a prisoner * Unable to converse, read or write English at elementary school level