DaTscan
Domain : Diagnosis
Category : My daily life
Simplified definition
A drug injected into the body that detects the loss of neurons in the part of the brain responsible for movements, and that is detected by a gamma camera, which will take pictures of the brain.
Source: Houria Aiouaz, for Alzheimer Foundation
Referenced definition
“A medicinal product for diagnostic use, is a radiopharmaceutical substance used in Nuclear Medicine and Radiology Departments for the different diagnosis of Parkinsonian Syndromes versus Essential tremor.”
Source: Collins. DaTscan. [Internet]. Nov 26, 2012 [cited on Sept 7, 2022].
Context
“For patients with dementia, the DaTscan has been successfully used in Europe to separate Alzheimer’s disease from a dementia called Lewy Body disease. This has important implications in determining which medications can be safely used to treat the dementia.”
Source: Cedars Sinai. DaTscan Procedure Information. [Internet]. [cited on Sept 7, 2022].
Note
- In fact, the drug highlights the part of the brain that is responsible for movements and reveals abnormalities.
- “DAT” stands for “Dopamine active transporter”.
- Dopamine is a chemical produced by the neurons and responsible for the control of movements. If these neurons die, no dopamine is produced, which causes difficulties in performing automatic movements.
Synonym(s)
DAT scanGO FURTHER
