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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