Activity of cholinergic neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus during emission of 22kHz vocalization in rats.

It has been postulated that the ascending cholinergic tegmental system is responsible for the initiation of the aversive emotional state with a concomitant alarm vocalization in the rat. It is assumed that the activity of cholinergic neurons of the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) will cause release of acetylcholine in the target areas and will initiate the emission of 22kHz vocalizations. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the cholinergic neurons of the LDT increase their activity during emission of 22kHz alarm calls.