1 In the present study, the ability of the 5-hydroxytryptamine4 receptor (5-HT4 receptor) to modulate the release of 5-HT in the hippocampus of freely-moving rats was investigated by the in vivo microdialysis technique. 2 The 5-HT4 receptor agonist, renzapride (1.0-100 gIM, administered via the microdialysis probe) increased extracellular hippocampal levels of 5-HT in a concentration-dependent manner (approximately 200% maximal increase). The ability of renzapride (100 Mm, administered via the microdialysis probe) to elevate extracellular levels of 5-HT remained in the presence of the selective 5-HT reuptake blocker, paroxetine (1.0 gM, administered via the microdialysis probe). Furthermore, another 5-HT4 receptor agonist 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT; 10 gM, administered via the microdialysis probe, in the presence of the non-5-HT4 5-HT receptor antagonists pindolol (10 gM) and methysergide (10 gM)) maximally elevated extracellular levels of 5-HT by approximately 450% in the rat hippocampus. The elevation of extracellular 5-HT levels induced by either renzapride (100 gM) or 5-MeOT (10 gM) was completely prevented by combined administration of the selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, GRI13808 (100 nM, administered via the microdialysis probe). GRI13808 (100 nM, administered via the microdialysis probe) administered alone, however, reduced extracellular hippocampal 5-HT levels by some 60%. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that activation of the 5-HT4 receptor facilitates 5-HT release in the rat hippocampus in vivo.