Inherited input and local transformations shape the spatiotemporal organization of pathway specific striatal signals for motivated behavior

Abstract

Adaptive behavior requires neural circuits to link sensory events with their location, predictive value, and temporal relationship to outcomes. Although striatal circuits are implicated in this process, it remains unclear how motivationally relevant signals are organized across striatal regions and direct- and indirect-pathway spiny projection neurons, and which components reflect afferent input versus local transformations. Using striatum-wide calcium recordings during visual conditioning in mice, we found that learned cue value, reward proximity, cue location, and lick-related behavior were encoded in distinct regions and time windows. These signals included both pathway-convergent representations and pathway-opponent dynamics. Striatum-wide measurements of glutamatergic input targeted to each SPN subtype revealed that rapid cue-location and lick-related signals were present in afferent input to both pathways, consistent with inherited representations. In contrast, pathway-opponent pDMS value signals and dSPN-selective pVLS ramping were absent from corresponding glutamatergic input dynamics, indicating local striatal transformations. These findings reveal region-specific input-output transformations that organize striatal signals for distinct components of motivated behavior.