Extended Data Fig. 7: Functional connectivity between Fezf2^BLa neurons and ventral striatum neurons.

a, A schematic of the intersectional approach to selectively target Fezf2^{BLa → NAc} neurons for optogenetic activation. b, A schematic of the approach to record the synaptic responses of NAc and OT neurons to optogenetic activation of the axons originating from Fezf2^{BLa → NAc} neurons. c, Traces of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) recorded from two representative neurons, with one in the NAc (top) and the other in the OT (bottom), in the presence of TTX and 4-AP. The EPSCs were evoked by optogenetic activation of axon fibers originating from Fezf2^{BLa → NAc} neurons. The upward square pulses (1 ms duration) in the blue traces (top) indicate the timing of photo-stimulation. d. Quantification of connection probability between Fezf2^{BLa → NAc} neurons and neurons in the NAc or OT (36 out of 39 cells in the NAc, and 30 out of 36 cells in the OT had evoked EPSCs). e, Quantification of peak amplitudes of the EPSCs (NAc, 36 cells, OT, 30 cells; 6 mice; **P = 0.0018, unpaired t test). f-h, Same as a-c, respectively, except that Fezf2^{BLa → OT} neurons were selectively targeted for optogenetic activation. i. Quantification of connection probability between Fezf2^{BLa → OT} neurons and neurons in the NAc or OT (18 out of 20 cells in the NAc, and 17 out of 19 cells in the OT had evoked EPSCs). j, Quantification of peak amplitudes of the EPSCs (NAc, 18 cells, OT, 17 cells; 4 mice; n.s., P = 0.78, unpaired t test). Data are presented as mean ± s.e.m.