Pharmacological evidence of functional inhibitory metabotrophic glutamate receptors on mouse arousal-related cholinergic laterodorsal tegmental neurons

► We investigated actions of mGluR5 and mGluR2/3 agonists on identified cholinergic LDT neurons. ► Application of mGluR5 and mGluR2/3 agonists resulted in inhibition. ► Inhibition was mediated by two different potassium channels. ► Inhibition influenced firing properties of these cells. ► LDT mGluRs may be a target for pharmacological treatment of arousal disorders.