Regional specific modulation of neuronal activation associated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in an animal model of antidepressant activity

•NOS inhibitors reduce immobility time and increase FST-induced c-FOS immunoreactivity in the lateral septum.•NOS inhibitors reduce FST-induced c-FOS immunoreactivity in the dorsal dentate gyrus, ventral CA1 and dorsal raphe nucleus.•Treatment with pCPA and restraint stress provokes a reduction in delta FosB in the lateral septum.•pCPA and restraint stress provoke an increase in delta FosB in the infra-limbic cortex and nucleus accumbens.•Regional changes in the expression of delta FosB relate to increased immobility in the FST.