ERK1/2 kinases and dopamine D2 receptors participate in the anticonvulsant effects of a new derivative of benzoylpyridine oxime and valproic acid.

Inhibition of the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) induced by the activation of the dopamine D2 receptor signalling cascade may be a promising pharmacological target. The aim of this work was to study the involvement of ERK1/2 and dopamine D2 receptor in the mechanism of the anticonvulsant action of valproic acid (VA) and a new benzoylpyridine oxime derivative (GIZH-298), which showed antiepileptic activity in different models of epilepsy. We showed that subchronic exposure to maximal electroshock seizures (MES) for 5 days reduced the density of dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum of mice.