Cholinergic denervation attenuates phencyclidine-induced c-fos responses in rat cortical neurons

► Low phencyclidine dose induces c-fos mRNA in rat cortical neurons within 30 min. ► Cholinergic denervation counteracts PCP-induced cortical c-fos mRNA expression. ► Low PCP dose does not influence BDNF or Nogo receptor mRNA levels. ► PCP effects in cortex cerebri linked to basalo-cortical cholinergic input. ► Results compatible with a role for cortical cholinergic nerves in schizophrenia.