Interestingly, the preserved motor activity in istradefylline-treated rats following the induced ischemic stroke may be attributed to a potential complex interaction with the dopaminergic pathway, since A2AR antagonism results in the enhancement of D2R signaling, resulting in an inhibition of the indirect GABAergic pathway of the substantia nigra and thalamus, which suppress motor activity [69]. This evidence concerns the gene DRD2 and ischemic stroke.