In the present study, we describe GABAA receptor-mediated tonic inhibitory currents in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) region of rat spinal trigeminal nucleus pars caudalis (Vc). The GABA(A) receptor-mediated tonic currents were identified by bath-application of the GABAA receptor antagonists, picrotoxin (1mM), SR95531 (100microM) and bicuculline (100microM). All three antagonists completely blocked outward spontaneous (phasic) inhibitory postsynaptic currents, but only picrotoxin and bicuculline induced a significant (>5pA) inward shift of holding currents at a holding potential (Vh) of 0mV in 60-70% of SG neurons, revealing the existence of tonic outward currents. The tonic currents were resistant to further the blockades of glycine receptors or those in addition to glutamate receptors and voltage-dependent sodium channels. An acute bath-application of THDOC (0.1microM), the stress-related neurosteroid, did enhance tonic currents, but only in a small population of SG neurons. In addition, slices incubated with THDOC for 30min increased the probability of neurons with significant tonic currents. The GABAergic tonic inhibition demonstrated in this study may play a significant role in the sensory processing system of the Vc.