The mammalian intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) of the thalamus is a neuronal element of the circadian timing system, which receives direct photic input from the retina. The purpose of this study was to analyze responses of rat IGL neurons in vitro to optic tract stimulation and to identify neurotransmitters released from the terminals of retinal ganglion cells in this structure. Following optic tract stimulation, most of the responding IGL cells were excited and only a minority of them were inhibited. Neurons showing the excitatory response were tested in the presence of AP-5, a selective antagonist of NMDA receptors. In most cases the responses were only partially inhibited by the presence of AP-5. Complete disappearance of excitatory responses was achieved by adding CNQX, an AMPA/kainate receptor-selective antagonist, to the standard incubation fluid. Inhibitory responses were blocked or considerably attenuated in the presence of bicuculline, a GABA(A) receptor antagonist, in the ACSF. This study demonstrated that glutamate is the main neurotransmitter mediating optic tract input to the IGL, acting mainly via non-NMDA ionotropic receptors. It was also shown that NMDA and GABA(A) receptors are involved in passing photic input to the IGL, albeit to a much lesser extent.