The adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine, transiently induced proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA in mouse brain in a dose-dependent fashion. In situ hybridization revealed that caffeine-induced c-fos expression was high in caudate-putamen and olfactory tubercle at both subconvulsive and convulsive doses. The pattern of c-fos mRNA distribution following caffeine administration differs from that reported after seizures induced by electroconvulsive shock (ECS) or other chemical convulsants, and closely parallels the distribution of adenosine A2 receptors. Furthermore, the potent adenosine A2 receptor agonist, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA) blocked caffeine-induced c-fos expression whereas the adenosine A1 receptor ligand, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), had no effect. This study suggests that the caffeine-induced expression of c-fos mRNA may be mediated by the adenosine A2 receptor in mouse brain.