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Several brainstem nuclei degenerate in Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition to the well‐characterized dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), the cholinergic neurons of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) also degenerate in PD. One leading hypothesis of selective vulnerability is that pacemaking activity and the activation of low‐threshold L‐type calcium current are major contributors to tonic calcium load and cellular stress in SNc dopaminergic neurons. However, it is not yet clear whether the vulnerable PPN cholinergic neurons share this property. Therefore, we used two‐photon dendritic calcium imaging and whole‐cell electrophysiology to evaluate the role of L‐type calcium channels in tonic and phasic dendritic calcium signals in PPN and SNc neurons. In addition, we investigated N‐ and P/Q‐type calcium channel regulation of firing properties and dendritic calcium in PPN …