A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Fycompa in Subjects With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Inclusion Criteria: 1. diagnosis of ALS 2. first clinical weakness within past 3 years 3. slow vital capacity \>= 60% of predicted within 1 month of treatment 4. may be on stable dose of riluzole for at least 30 days, or otherwise agree to not initiate riluzole for duration of the trial 5. may be on stable dose of edaravone for at least 30 days, otherwise agree to not initiate edaravone for duration of the trial 6. can travel to Stony Brook to receive medical care 7. must have a monitor who can be contacted at regular intervals to report on subject's clinical/psychiatric status Exclusion Criteria: 1. use of tracheostomy or mechanical ventilation within last 3 months 2. hepatic insufficiency or abnormal liver function 3. renal insufficiency 4. clinically significant psychiatric disorder 5. active malignancy 6. history of HIV, clinically significant chronic hepatitis, or other active infection 7. history of stomach or intestinal surgery or condition that could interfere with absorption, distribution, metabolism or secretion of study drug 8. history of alcohol or substance abuse within 3 months prior to entry (subjects will be instructed to refrain from alcohol during the study) 9. use of strong cytochrome P4503A inhibitors or inducers, anticonvulsants or other drugs known to interact strongly with perampanel. 10. pregnancy or lactation 11. clinically significant medical condition (other than ALS) that would pose a risk to the subject if they were to participate 12. know hypersensitivity to perampanel 13. currently participating, or has participated in a study with an investigation or marketed compound within 3 months of entry