In vivo quantification of dopamine transporters in mice with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions using [11C]methylphenidate and PET

► [11C]methylphenidate binding to DAT in the mouse brain was quantified in vivo. ► Only small differences between in vivo PET and ex vivo AR. ► Small test-retest variability and good reliability of PET results. ► DVR-1 from Logan graphical analysis agrees well with DVR-1 at true equilibrium. ► Dose dependent decrease in displacement experiments and 6-OHDA mouse model of PD.