Dat scans would it make sense?

[Theyakin]

If everyone say at 30/40/50 had a dat scan and if we would Know sooner if you have parkinsons ,would there be any benefits?

[Kia17]

DatScan is an imaging technique to differentiate PD with other similar diseases. Yes , I did last year and it confirmed the DX.I also believe the sooner you get a clear diagnosis the better since there are ways of delaying PD progression including forced exercise and supplements....etc

[Asbhai in reply to Kia17]

I also think so

[Bailey_Texas]

Dat scans only confirm after a exam by a Doctor. Dat scans can not diagnose Parkinson's. so it would be a waste of time and money.

[Theyakin in reply to Bailey_Texas]

I thought it would show lack of dophamin, is that not the main issues for Parkinson's

[Kia17 in reply to Theyakin]

Correct. It shows if there is a lack of dopamioergic cells or loss of Dopamine transporters in Substantia Nigra of the brain in which causing the PD.

[rjpinette in reply to Bailey_Texas]

My husband went to a neuro dr. when we suspected PD and was treated as such but no diagnosis. This went on for a few years.... When we moved to GA our new neuro here had a DatScan done and it confirmed it. He had previously in VA gone through PT Big Program and meds there too. BUT until we got to GA we still weren't sure of what was going on. The neuro dr. here went head first into helping us - SO GLAD we moved here and have a much better handle on everything after the DatScan.

[park_bear]

Dat scans are reputed to be hard to read.

I would have been diagnosed years earlier if ordinary MDs understood the significance of one sided resting tremor.

[mleec in reply to park_bear]

What is the significance of a one sided resting tremor? Mine is on the left.

[park_bear in reply to mleec]

It almost certainly indicates Parkinson's.

[mleec in reply to park_bear]

Oh, okay. I thought there was something more. Thank you. Just about a year into diagnosis. No meds yet. Thank you!

[sharron2]

My husbands DAT scan appears normal, yet he has been diagnosed via presenting symptoms. Some pwp have a negative DAT scan.

[Hidden in reply to sharron2]

I am one of those people. My Dat Scan was normal and showed no loss. My Neurologist at Queen’s Square still says I have it. He refers to it as PD on the SWEDD (Scans without evidence of dopamine deficiency) Spectrum. 10 years post diagnosis and he suspects my PD will get no worse.

[Vijaya1972]

Well it confirmed my Parkinson's. Till then i was treated for symptoms. It can only confirm Parkinson's... Not tell you If you will get Parkinson's

[Hikoi]

I can see no benefit at the moment. When we have effective treatments then it is likely to be helpful.

All we can advise so far is that intensive exercise may slow progression. The fact that top class athletes still get PD suggests we need more than exercise to reverse it.

We have no proof that any supplements slow progression. They may but we dont yet know which supplement or combination and what amounts.

[SilentEchoes]

An emphatic no! DaT Scans use a radioactive isotope. Not good for your brain or long term health. MRIs are a better alternative for screening IF there is a known risk factor.

[JayPwP]

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

"Scanning the brain of a patient suffering from Parkinson's disease reveals that in spite of dopamine cell death, there are no signs of a lack of dopamine -- even at a comparatively late stage in the process."