Functional neuroimaging of the 6-OHDA lesion rat model of Parkinson's disease

► [F-18]FDG PET characterized the brain metabolism changes before and after 6-OHDA lesioning. ► Glucose metabolism decreased in the motor cortex, substantia nigra, and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus. ► Those metabolism changes decreases had positive relationships with behavioral response. ► The PPN significantly correlated with the other brain areas metabolically changed after lesioning. ► Cerebral mapping of the 6-OHDA-lesioned showed correspondence to the cortico-subcortical network in PD patients.