Laterodorsal tegmental nucleus

The laterodorsal tegmental nucleus is a nucleus situated in the brainstem that sends cholinergic (acetylcholine) projections to many subcortical and cortical structures. Targets include the thalamus, hypothalamus, substantia nigra (dopamine neurons), ventral tegmental area (dopamine neurons), cortex (with bidirectional connections with the prefrontal cortex). It may be involved in modulating sustained attention or in mediating alerting responses.