An unsolved question is how platinum derivatives used for solid cancer therapy cause peripheral neuropathy in patients and apoptosis in "in vitro" models of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. DRG neurons from E15 rat embryos were treated with toxic doses of oxaliplatin or cisplatin. Here, the role of MAPKs in neuronal apoptosis was studied. Both oxaliplatin and cisplatin induced a dose-dependent neuronal apoptosis, modulated by the proteins of Bcl-2 family. Regarding MAPKs, platinum derivatives activated p38 while they reduced the active form and the total amount of JNK/Sapk. Both oxaliplatin and cisplatin activated ERKs at early stages, although they behaved differently at later stages. By using specific inhibitors of the various MAPKs it was demonstrated that the platinum-induced neuronal apoptosis is mediated by early p38 and ERK1/2 activation, while JNK/Sapk has a neuroprotective role. These results suggest a role for the different MAPKs in peripheral neuropathies characterized by apoptosis of DRG neurons.