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The purpose of this study was to use intravital microscopy to determine the effect of a selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist, GR79236 (1, 3 and 10 µg/kg i.v.), on neurogenic dural blood vessel dilation in anaesthetized rats. Vasodilation was evoked either by electrical stimulation of perivascular trigeminal nerves or by intravenous CGRP. GR79236 (1–10 µg/kg i.v.) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of neurogenic vasodilation, but had no significant effect on dural vasodilation caused by CGRP. GR79236 (1–3 µg/kg i.v.) had no effect on basal dural vessel diameter, but caused transient dose-dependant bradycardia and hypotension. Bradycardia was more prolonged following 10 µg/kg i.v. GR79236. Pre-treatment with the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist DPCPX (1 mg/kg i.v.) prevented the inhibitory effect of GR79236 (10 µg/kg i.v.) on neurogenic vasodilation as well as GR79236-induced bradycardia and hypotension. These data suggest that the inhibition of neurogenic vasodilation by GR79236 is mediated via the activation of prejunctional adenosine A1 receptors. Provided the systemic cardiovascular effects could be limited, such a mechanism may offer a novel approach to migraine therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]