I will be having a DAT Scan early next week. I am worried about the effects of the radioactive material which will be injected into me.
Should I load up on Melatonin as a precaution? If yes, how much and when to take?
Also I am told not to take C/L or any other medication for 48 hours before the scan, which I don't agree to.
Any inputs appreciated. Thank you 🙏
are you having a DAT to confirm Parkinson’s?
To see the approximate extent of damage
Good luck!
its not going to hurt you. You want the test to be as accurate as possible, so dont deviate from the instructions. Just take some antioxidants, like vitamin c, after the test to bind to the isotopes. Whats the worst that can happen? You get parkinsons? I had the test done a few years ago. No side effects whatsoever. Good Luck!
Thank you Bass
Please do not ignore the instructions from the nuclear medicine department. You may land up getting no benefit from the test if you do that.
All radioisotopes are not the same for the DAT for Parkinsons/movement disorders. The type used will depend on local government restrictions on production.
The instructions given to you will be dependent on the actual test in your provider. This includes what is given for protecting your thyroid and other organs .
Check with them for clarity. But please do not do your own thing.
I was offered a DAT scan eight years ago, didn't see the point and I was dubious of their accuracy.
I really didn't fancy radioactive liquid sloshing around my brain either.
It seems to me that a skilled neurologist will offer the most accurate diagnosis based on presentation.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck - then it's probably a duck 🦆
True... but similar presentation is observed in NPH, MND, FND, PSP...
I just want to get it over with.
The only one I'm familiar with from "NPH, MND, FND, PSP" is FND. What are the others? I would not add radioactive fluids into an already ailing brain myself. But that is just me.
The DAT scan is a test for Parkinson's disease (PD) with an accuracy exceeding 95% on its own. However, its accuracy drops in early cases where the lesion of the dopaminergic system is still limited. Usually, these cases do not present clear symptoms. The DAT scan for PD approximately determines the extent of the lesion and the difference between the two sides, right and left, in case of unilateral onset. This is important because, together with the symptoms and the response to medication, it provides certainty in the diagnosis. After five years, the test can be repeated, and by comparing the results, the speed of progression can be deduced.
This *certainty* , in my opinion, holds high value for the personal approach and treatment of the disease. It distinguishes PD from essential tremor and other more severe conditions, making the diagnosis irrefutable by any reputable neurologist. This has administrative consequences as well.
PD is a serious disease that should not be underestimated. Each examination helps in understanding it better and prevents fear from leading to neglect. It is crucial to stay informed and proactive. Something can be done and soon there will be a cure.
This is why we are here on Cure Parkinson's HU😊.
Jay,
A DAT scan is thought to deliver a lesser dose of ionizing radiation as compared to a CT Scan. In a study it was shown that 100 mg of melatonin one or two hours prior to the CT scan was beneficial for the patient as discussed here :
journals.lww.com/cancerjour....
Here is a relevant quote from the study :
' The present study showed that melatonin will prove effective in radioprotection against ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Our results suggest ingestion of 100-mg melatonin by patients before exposure to IR in radiology. '
It is just my opinion, but it may also be helpful to continue using melatonin for awhile after exposure to IR because the negative effects of IR stay with you for quite awhile. The following article discusses the cumulative effects of IR and their potential negative impact to humans :
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5....
Here is a relevant quote from the link :
' Although CT scans are helpful for the clinician in diagnosing, they are not without risks; ionizing radiation is cumulative, and the effects are potentially lifelong. The greater the exposure to ionizing radiation, the greater the risk of malignancy. '
Art
I would not worry too much about it. They will possibly give you potassium iodide to protect your thyroid. It is a lot of sitting arround so take a book. The scan itself is a non event.
I have had at least 6 Dat scans as part of biogen Spark trial. Maybe 10. They are nothing to worry about. Follow the instructions given to you by the clinic. I used to have to take 2 potassium iodide tablets the day before, 2 on the day and 2 the day after to protect the thyroid. Take a good book. You have to wait 2 or 3 hours in a shielded waiting area after the injection and before the scan. The scan is very peaceful. I fell asleep a couple of times
Thank you WTP
hi JayPwP ,
I also had a DAT scan 9 years ago with a positive result for Parkinsonism and I share the opinion of my colleagues PwPs who did it, a bit long and boring but no danger for me. However, nothing has been asked of me regarding the suspension of levodopa-based medicines, I have to take iodine, this leaves me a bit perplexed. The DAT scan confirms the diagnosis of PD as well as determining the approximate extent of the lesion. In my opinion a very useful objective examination.
Greetings from Italy
The common UK MRI contrast agent gadolinium, brand name Dotarem, decimated my health. You're right to be concerned: gadoliniumtoxicity.com, youtu.be/80AetP__tmA. Trust your gut. GBY.
Hi Jay, I've had two DAT scans, one in 2018 and the other in 2023. I dont seem to have any ill effects from the radiation but you're right to be cautious. I would ask for their protocol which should be exact and personally, I wouldn't deviate from that. No "loading" and altering the protocol as Bass says and yes, good luck
I'm also curious what you will do differently based on the diagnosis.
I had that done. It wasn't that bad except the iodine injection which was done a couple hours prior made me feel a bit nauseous until I ate something. I was fine after that.
I had a DAT scan, and was reassured that it is the equivalent of 8 years of background radiation, and there are many other ruiteenly used scans or interventions that expose you to more.
My biggest concern was that I was 'radioactive' and I was advised not to sleep in the same bed as my wife as she was pregnant.
Safe to say I stayed far away from her! May be worth considering that you may not want to be near people in general while you are glowing green 😜
From from what I've read the DAT scan gives an 80% indication that it is Parkinsons, if your conditions reacted positively to Co-careldopa then they also assume Parkinsons in my experience.Yous have to ask what benefit will you get from having it done compared to any risk.
Probably nothing.
I don't know. I guess I just want to see for myself the image of my damage. Maybe it will jolt my lazy a** to do something else and not rely only on supplements.
Like what? I will also add that the neuro who first diagnosed me said the dat is not a 100% answer. Nothing is really. Currently reading the Biology of Belief. Highly recommend it so far.
But also will add that you will probably continue to be curious since you have the idea in your mind now.
There is no effect from that radioactive material. Completely safe.
If you don't refrain from taking the C/L as required, there's no point to doing the DAT scan at all, and the considerable expense would be entirely wasted. Would be the same as taking an opiate blood test after having eaten a couple poppy seed bagels, totally a waste.
The DAT shows a glowing substantia nigra. It has a left and right side. For me the right side was smaller than the left. That means my condition shows as weakness in my left arm and left leg. But my only real symptom is double vision. If I forget the afternoon dose of Rytary the double vision comes back. Soon after taking the Rytary the double vision subsides. I wonder why I need the medication. I tried quitting last year and the neuro went crazy, ordering me to get back on the drug. If double vision is my only problem I can wear an eye patch and function normally. Why do I need the drug?
How long have you been on the drug and at what dose and schedule? The idea would be to try to get some idea as to whether through a feedback loop positive, or a feedback loop negative, your 5 types of dopamine receptors (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) in various parts of your body and brain have changed their number, function, sensitivity, and in some cases even location on your nerve axons) in response to the medication, because if they have then quick withdrawal could leave you in very dependent, damaged condition and it's important to have a sense of whether you would need to withdraw in a controlled gradual fashion over an extended period of time to allow your receptors to return to their normal location, function, sensitivity, etc, as well as perhaps various related enzyme systems that they affect or are part of... The sort of thing can happen with just about any psychotropic medication that an adjust or regulates your underlying endocrine normal functions for those neurotransmitters. Hopefully when your neurologist blew his stack he was able to explain why he did so and what should happen in the instead of cold turkey or whatever was being proposed that he didn't like.
I had a DAT scan 4-22. Walk in the park. I would highly suggest getting with radiologist to go over scan in detail. $5 says your doc can’t read it
u want to be sure to have it done at a major center that reads these a lot. Will help ensure precision and accuracy. Btw, extent of neuronal loss doesn’t always correlate with current presentation
if you already know you have Parkinson’s then I’d pass on the scan. Not worth the risk
Hi!
I did the scan according to the instructions and had no problem at all.
Is now two years ago .
Did you know that a non-invasive 'retinal scan' can now detect brain disease?
Medication induced dementia
Low B6 vitamin results
