DaTSCAN is a medicinal product for
diagnostic use only. DaTSCAN is a
radiopharmaceutical substance used in
Nuclear Medicine and Radiology Departments
for the differential diagnosis of
Parkinsonian Syndromes versus Essential
tremor. Radio-pharmaceutics contain a
radioactive isotope (Iodine in this case),
in which radiation (gamma-rays) can be
measured by s.c. SPECT cameras. This scan
will show the distribution of the
radiopharmaceutical within the organ and
the body. This gives the doctor valuable
information about the function and
structure of that organ. DaTSCAN binds to
the dopamine transporters (DAT) on the
neurons in specific areas of the brain.
When neuronal degeneration is present, the
number of DAT is significantly reduced
(for example in patients with Parkinson's
disease). If the number of DAT is reduced,
less radiopharmaceutical molecules
(DaTSCAN) will be bound and less radiation
will be detected by the SPECT-cameras.
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