Slow Wave Oscillation reveals the discrete segregation of dorsal striatum

Behavioural studies differentiate the rodent dorsal striatum (DS) into lateral and medial regions based on their particular roles; however, anatomical evidence suggest that it is a unified structure. To understand striatal dynamics and basal ganglia functions, it is essential to clarify if this behavioural-based segregation is supported by two different circuits. Here, we show that the mouse DS is made of two non-overlapping functional circuits divided by a sharp boundary. Combining in vivo optopatch-clamp and extracellular recordings of spontaneous activity, we demonstrate different coupling of lateral and medial striatum to the cortex together with an independent integration of the propagated activity, due to particular cortico-striatal connectivity and local attributes of each region. Additionally, differences between striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons were detected only in the lateral DS. These results demonstrate that the rodent DS is segregated in two neuronal circuits, suggesting its homology with the caudate and putamen nuclei of primates.