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

► Alarm vocalizations in rats were induced by air puff or by intracerebral carbachol. ► Activity of LDT and PPT neurons was studied by c-Fos immunohistochemistry. ► Activity of LDT but not PPT neurons was increased in intensely vocalizing rats. ► Air puff and carbachol increased the number of LDT cholinergic active cells. ► Cholinergic and non-cholinergic LDT neurons are active during emission of calls.