1. The actions of adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists were examined on GABAergic synaptic transmission in the globus pallidus (GP) in rat brain slices using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. GP neurones were characterized into two major groups, type I and type II, according to the degree of time-dependent hyperpolarization-activated inward rectification and the size of input resistance. 2. The A(2A) receptor agonist 2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamido- adenosine (CGS21680; 0.3-3 microM) enhanced IPSCs evoked by stimulation within the GP. The actions of CGS21680 were blocked by the A(2A) antagonists (E)-8-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-1,3-dipropyl-7-methylxanthine (KF17837) and 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM241385). 3. The CGS21680-induced increase in IPSCs was associated with a reduction in paired-pulse facilitation. CGS21680 (0.3 microM) increased the frequency of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) without affecting mIPSC amplitude. These observations demonstrated that the enhancement of IPSCs in the GP was attributable to presynaptic, but not postsynaptic, A(2A) receptors. 4. The results suggest that A(2A) receptors in the GP serve to inhibit GP neuronal activity, thereby disinhibiting subthalamic nucleus neurone activity. Thus, the A(2A) receptor-mediated presynaptic regulation in the GP, together with the A(2A) receptor-mediated intrastriatal presynaptic control of GABAergic neurotransmission described previously, may play a crucial role in controlling the neuronal functions of basal ganglia. This A(2A) receptor-mediated presynaptic dual control in the striatopallidal pathway could also afford the mode of action of A(2A) antagonists for ameliorating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in an animal model.