Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of clozapine-induced seizures: a network pharmacology and molecular docking-based investigation

Clozapine is the preferred treatment for refractory schizophrenia. However, clozapine use is constrained by the risk of clozapine‑induced seizures (CISs). The molecular mechanisms behind CISs are complex and poorly understood. The objective of this study was to identify the core targets and signaling pathways contributing to CISs using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Potential targets for clozapine and seizures were screened using multiple databases, and overlapping targets were identified. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the STRING database and visualized in Cytoscape to identify core targets. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of the core targets were performed, and a disease-target-pathway-drug network was constructed. The docking of clozapine with the core targets was evaluated to determine the stability of their interactions. Of the 656 potential targets for clozapine and 1260 targets for seizure, 104 targets overlapped. PPI analysis of the overlapping targets yielded 12 core targets. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and GABAergic synapses may be key pathways mediating CIS. The molecular docking results showed that clozapine had strong binding affinities for the core targets, BDNF, GRIN2B, GRIN2A, and GAD1. Thus, clozapine may interfere with the glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and GABAergic synaptic pathways by modulating BDNF, GRIN2B, GRIN2A, and GAD1. Modulation of these core targets may contribute to excitatory-inhibitory imbalance in the central nervous system, thereby potentially increasing seizure susceptibility. This study provides an integrative perspective on the potential pathophysiology of CIS and suggests directions for future experimental validation and risk intervention strategies.