Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis with I Ioflupane (DaTSCAN)

Abstract

The authors of the paper statistically evaluated the results of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain scans in 1050 patients with suspected Parkinson's disease. The control group consisted of patients with other neurological diseases who underwent SPECT brain scans. Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease based on clinical examination is not always straightforward. An examination of the transport dopaminergic route by Ioflupane (<sup>123</sup>I) helps to refine the diagnosis. Based on the obtained results, the authors believe that in the differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (or Parkinson's syndrome), SPECT brain imaging is of unmistakable importance, both from a clinical, therapeutic and socioeconomic point of view. In Parkinson's disease, the functional state of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) changes. Examination of the ANS can help both in the differential diagnosis of Parkinsonian syndromes and in determining the degree of impairment; it is a prognostic indicator. Results of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) examinations were statistically evaluated in the group of 1050 patients with suspected Parkinson´s disease. SPECT examinations of patients with other neurological diseases were used as a control group. Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease based on clinical examination is not always straightforward. An examination of the transport dopaminergic route by Ioflupane (<sup>123</sup>I) helps to refine the diagnosis. After statistical evaluation of these results authors believe that in the differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (or Parkinson's syndrome), SPECT brain imaging is of huge importance from a clinical, therapeutic and socioeconomic point of view. In Parkinson's disease, the functional state of the autonomic nervous system changes. Examination of the autonomic nervous system can help both in the differential diagnosis and in determining the degree of impairment.