The increasing burden of drug addiction on society and the challenge of treating addicts has been the focus of much research in the past decades. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been shown to be a very interesting target since its inactivation by lesion or Deep Brain Stimulation can reduce motivation for cocaine, while increasing motivation for sweet food. Since the STN is a hub of the Basal ganglia and receives direct cortical projections (the hyperdirect pathway) it is important to clarify the role of this pathway in the effects observed after STN manipulations. This study thus seeks to clarify the specific role of STN and its network in addiction models. We have used calcium imaging to observe neural dynamics of the hyperdirect pathway during motivational procedures in rats. The Infralimbic (IL), Prelimbic (PL), and Anterior cingulate (ACg) were targeted with an injection of a Cre-dependent-Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicator (GECI) adeno virus combined with a Cav2-Cre injected in the STN for retrograde labeling. Optic fibers were implanted above the STN, so that PFC-STN projections’ calcium activity could be recorded during fixed and progressive ratio schedules in sucrose seeking and cocaine self-administration in rats. Results show the IL-STN, PL-STN, and ACg-STN each display unique levels of activity during reward motivated behavior. These network dynamics demand further investigation before the modulation of a specific network involving the STN may be considered a target for the treatment of pathological addiction.