Striosomes constrain locomotor vigor with respect to an innate valence differential

Survival demands that safe and unsafe contexts are met with different locomotor profiles, yet whether striatal microcircuitry links contextual valence to spontaneous locomotor vigor is unresolved. Here we test for striosome contributions to spontaneous locomotion using ablation, calcium imaging and chemogenetics in the context of a modified Light/Dark box test. We found that locomotor speed reflects the unlearned, external valence differential present in this test, and that striosomes gate valence-oriented speed selection. Our data suggest that striosomes dampen motor vigor associated with lesser valence, or elevated anxiety. HighlightsO_LIMice explore the light and dark zones in Light/Dark box with different walk speed C_LIO_LIStriosome ablation reduces restful slowing and elevates speed relative to zone C_LIO_LIMany striosome neurons exhibit light-zone preference and speed related activity C_LIO_LIStriosome enhancement slows mice and blunts zone discrimination by speed C_LI