We used the patch-clamp technique to examine single-channel currents activated by GABA in dentate gyrus granule neurons in rat hippocampal slices from humanely killed rats. We found that GABA activated three types of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors (GABARex I, II and III). These receptors were activated with a delay, varied in their affinity for GABA and their maximal conductance. The maximal conductances at saturating concentrations were 61 ± 3 pS (n=70), 85 ± 8 pS(n=56) and 43 ± 3 pS (n=42) for GABARex I, II and III, respectively. The three receptor types were differently modulated by GABAA receptor specific drugs. The different properties of GABARex I, II and III allow neuronal inhibition to be graded and precisely set by the receptors expressed, the GABA concentration and other drugs that may be present.