Parkinsonian Syndromes

DaTscan may be used as an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations to help differentiate essential tremor from tremor due to parkinsonian syndrome (PS).

PS refers to a form of parkinsonism due to nigrostriatal degeneration1,2

  • A well-known parkinsonian syndrome, Parkinson’s disease (PD), is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder3
  • Others include multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive

    supranuclear palsy (PSP)4

  • DaTscan imaging was not designed to distinguish among PD, MSA, or PSP4
Many conditions are known to mimic PS, making diagnosis difficult throughout its course.5 This is particularly true during earlier clinical stages when the signs and symptoms are more subtle.6
Common reasons for initial uncertainty in diagnosis include7:
  • Mild intensity of signs
  • Only one sign
  • One sign with asymmetry
  • Two signs but no bradykinesia
  • Lack of progression over time
  • Atypical signs
    • - Postural rather than rest tremor
    • - Mild rigidity
    • - Doubtful bradykinesia
    • - Others
  • Little or no response to L-dopa
Other neurological conditions have symptoms similar to PD8
Neurological conditions with clinical features similar to Parkinson’s disease8
  • Post-encephalitic parkinsonism
  • Essential tremor
  • Multiple infarct state and drug-induced parkinsonism
The role of imaging the dopamine transporter (DaT) in PS
A pathophysiological marker of PS is a loss of dopamine-containing cells, accompanied by a reduction in striatal dopamine concentrations.9,10 Because of this fact, assessing DaT loss in the striatum, in addition to other tests, may aid in a clearer clinical diagnosis of PS.
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DaTscan is a federally controlled substance (Schedule II). A DEA license is required for handling or administering this controlled substance.
Important Risk and Safety Information About DaTscan

INDICATIONS AND USAGE: DaTscan is a radiopharmaceutical indicated for striatal dopamine transporter visualization using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain imaging to assist in the evaluation of adult patients with suspected Parkinsonian syndromes (PS). DaTscan may be used to help differentiate essential tremor from tremor due to PS (idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy). DaTscan is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations. DaTscan was not designed to distinguish among PD, MSA, and PSP.  The effectiveness of DaTscan as a screening or confirmatory test and for monitoring disease progression or response to therapy has not been established. CONTRAINDICATIONS: DaTscan is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the active substance, any of the excipients, or iodine. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS: Hypersensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions, generally consisting of skin erythema and pruritis, have been reported following DaTscan administration. Thyroid Accumulation: The DaTscan injection may contain up to 6% of free iodide (iodine 123 or I-123). To decrease thyroid accumulation of I-123, block the thyroid gland at least 1 hour before administration of DaTscan; failure to do so may increase the long-term risk for thyroid neoplasia. ADVERSE REACTIONS: In clinical trials, headache, nausea, vertigo, dry mouth or dizziness of mild to moderate severity were reported. In postmarketing experience, hypersensitivity reactions and injection site pain have been reported. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drugs that bind to the dopamine transporter with high affinity may interfere with the DaTscan image. The impact of dopamine agonists and antagonists upon DaTscan imaging results has not been established. SPECIFIC POPULATIONS: Pregnancy: It is unknown whether DaTscan can cause fetal harm or increase risk of pregnancy loss in pregnant women. DaTscan should be given to pregnant women only if clearly needed. Like all radiopharmaceuticals, DaTscan may cause fetal harm depending on the stage of fetal development, and the magnitude of the radionuclide dose. Radioactive iodine products cross the placenta and can permanently impair fetal thyroid function. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether DaTscan is excreted into human milk, however, I-123 is excreted into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted into human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to interrupt nursing after administration of DaTscan or not to administer DaTscan. Nursing women may consider interrupting nursing and pump and discard breast milk for 6 days after DaTscan administration to minimize risks to a nursing infant. Pediatric Use: The safety and efficacy of DaTscan have not been established in pediatric patients. Geriatric Use: There were no differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients that would require a dose adjustment. Renal and Hepatic Impairment: The effect of renal or hepatic impairment upon DaTscan imaging has not been established. The kidney excretes DaTscan; patients with severe renal impairment may have increased radiation exposure and altered DaTscan images. DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE: Ioflupane I 123 Injection is a DEA Schedule II controlled substance. A DEA license is required for handling or administering this controlled substance. OVERDOSAGE: It is unknown whether or not ioflupane is dialyzable. The major risks of overdose relate to increased radiation exposure and long-term risk for neoplasia. In case of radioactivity overdosage, frequent urination and defecation should be encouraged to minimize radiation exposure to the patient. PROCEDURE: Radiation Safety: DaTscan emits radiation and must be handled with safety measures to minimize radiation exposure to clinical personnel and patients.

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References: 1. Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. Available at: http://medical-dictionary. thefreedictionary.com/parkinsonian+syndrome. Accessed December 14, 2009. 2. Tolosa E, Vander Borght T, Moreno E. Accuracy of DaTscan (123I-loflupane) SPECT in diagnosis of patients with clinically uncertain Parkinsonism: 2-year follow-up of an open-label study. Mov Disord. 2007;22:2346-2351. 3. Nussbaum RL, Ellis CE. Alzheimer's disease and parkinson's disease. N Engl J Med. 2003; 348:1356-1364. 4. DaTscan (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) Prescribing Information. GE Healthcare. 2011. 5. Benamer HTS, Oertel WH, Patterson J, et al. Prospective study of presynaptic dopaminergic imaging in patients with mild Parkinsonian and tremor disorders: Part 1. Baseline and 3-month observations. Mov Disord. 2003;18:977-984. 6. Marshall VL, Patterson J, Hadley DM, Grosset KA, Grosset DG. Two-year follow-up in 150 consecutive cases with normal dopamine transporter imaging. Nucl Med Commun. 2006;27:933-937. 7. Catafau AM, Tolosa E. Impact of dopamine transporter SPECT using 123I-loflupane on diagnosis and management of patients with clinically uncertain Parkinsonian syndromes. Mov Disord. 2004;19:1175-1182. 8. Bhatia K, Brooks DJ, Burn DJ, et al. Guidelines for the management of Parkinson's disease. The Parkinson's disease consensus working group. Hosp Med. 1998;59:469-480. 9. Asanuma K, Dhawan V, Carbon M, Eidelberg D. Assessment of disease progression in parkinsonism. J Neurol. 2004;251(Suppl 7):VII/4-VII/8. 10. Winogrodzka A, Bergmans P, Booij J, et al. [123I]FP-CIT SPECT is a useful method to monitor the rate of dopaminergic degeneration in early-stage Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Transm. 2001;108:1011-1019.
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