Used primarily in research settings as a selective antagonist for adenosine receptors, particularly the A1 and A2A subtypes. This activity makes it valuable in studies related to neurotransmission, cardiovascular function, and inflammation. It is also employed in pharmacological models to investigate the role of adenosine in sleep regulation and arousal, due to its ability to block adenosine-induced sedation. Its structural similarity to caffeine allows it to be used as a tool compound in comparative studies on methylxanthines. Additionally, it has been explored in the development of radiolabeled derivatives for receptor binding assays and imaging studies in the central nervous system. It is commonly used in animal models to study neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.