What is a DaTscan?

A DaTscan assists doctors in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.  It requires an injection of a small amount of iodine-based radioactive material into the bloodstream, helping assess the level of dopamine receptor cells in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that transmits messages between nerve cells and muscles, helping control movement. With Parkinson’s disease, dopamine cells degenerate. This causes the patient to experience problems with movement, such as walking and dexterity.

Who Should Get a DaTscan?

DaTscan is typically recommended for adult patients who have signs or symptoms of Parkinsonian syndromes, including tremor or stiffness. DaTscan is available only with a prescription from your doctor, so ask your doctor if this test is right for you.

Is DaTscan Safe?

While DaTscan is FDA-approved, there are side effects related to DaTscan, as with all radiopharmaceuticals. In clinical trials, the most common side effects were headache, nausea, dry mouth, or dizziness. These occurred in less than 1% of patients studied. Please speak with your doctor about any other questions or concerns you may have.

What You Can Expect?

On arrival, you may be given a medicine to block the uptake of the iodine by the thyroid. One hour later, you will be given an intravenous injection of the radioactive tracer. This feels very similar to a blood test and has no side effects. The images are taken about 3 hours after the injection. You will be asked to lie on your back on a bed with your head in a small cradle. Two cameras will move around your head without touching you to create the images. The images take about 40 minutes to acquire.

After all the images are completed, the technologist will check them for excessive movement to ensure the best quality images for the radiologists.  If needed, images are repeated. Results of the study are not immediately available, but a written report will be sent to your referring doctor usually within one business day.