The role of GAT-3 transporters in regulating GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibition was examined in the rat neocortex using an in vitro slice preparation. Pharmacologically isolated GABA(A) receptor-mediated responses were recorded from layer V neocortical pyramidal cells, and the effects of SNAP-5114, a GAT-3 GABA transporter-selective antagonist, were evaluated. Application of SNAP-5114 resulted in a reversible increase in the amplitude of an evoked GABA(A) response in most cells examined, although no effect on the decay time was observed. Examination of the spontaneous output of inhibitory interneurons revealed a reversible increase in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents as a consequence of GAT-3 inhibition. This effect of GAT-3 inhibition on spontaneous inhibitory events was action potential-dependent because no such increases were observed when SNAP-5114 was applied in the presence of TTX. These results demonstrate that GAT-3 transporters regulate inhibitory interneuron output in the neocortex. The increase in inhibitory interneuron excitability resulting from application of SNAP-5114 suggests that inhibition of GAT-3 transporter function results in a reduction in ambient GABA levels, possibly by a reduction in carrier-mediated GABA release via the GAT-3 transporter.