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Use of phencyclidine (PCP) can mimic some aspects of schizophrenia. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Administration of PCP is known to activate mesolimbic dopamine pathway. In this study, we focused on ventral tegmental area (VTA) of mesolimbic dopamine pathway as target of PCP for inducing schizophrenia-like symptoms. Single VTA neuron was isolated and its neural activity was monitored by measuring cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) followed by immunocytochemical identification of dopamine neurons. Administration of glutamate increased [Ca²⁺]_i in dopamine neurons from control rats, and the [Ca²⁺]_i increase was inhibited in the presence of PCP. In contrast, in VTA dopamine neurons from rats chronically treated with PCP for 7 days, administration of glutamate was able to induce [Ca²⁺]_i increase in the presence of PCP. Furthermore, this glutamate-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase in …