DAT scan for Parkinsons disease usefulness and cost

@cyndirae
I don't know what that drug is. my experience with DAT scan is you need to be seen by a movement disorder specialist. my dat scan was misread by the firm doing the scan and my neurologist had no idea how to read the scan or answer my questions. I went to a movement disorder specialist she read the scan and conducted an in-office Parkinson evaluation. she pointed out why the DAT scan was abnormal and why is corresponds to my failed evaluation test she conducted in office. she diagnosed me with Parkinson's. i would make sure you're seeing a movement disorder specialist they specialize in Parkinson's.

Hi, I recently was told by my neurologist he believes I have the onset of Parkinson’s. They are doing a DAT Scan in the morning. As my husband was researching the details on the test he read that desvenlafaxine which I take will not give me an accurate reading, I have not been told to stop taking the medication prior to my appointment. My neurologist has my medication list. Am I missing something?

@ladylawyer
I had my first appt with a movement disorder Doctor yesterday---very encouraging. she stated she will review my DAT scan as she has tons of experience reviewing and evaluating these scans. again, this is encouraging b/c so far no one has been able to answer my questions. i am also scheduled for a skin biopsy next month for further PD testing. hopefully you have been able to contact a movement disorder specialist

@ladylawyer
Thanks. And prayers and blessings to as well

Thank you so much! Will do and please keep me posted on your status. I would love to follow your outcome! Prayers and blessings!

@ladylawyer
Yes, I have been told to def. go to a movement disorder specialist--so def. do that. your description sounds just like me--sporadic with good days and bad days. I also recommend looking into the Beech band. Google it and do your research. I want to be careful with recommendations b/c I'm very new to this world. But my wife and I looked into this, and thought couldn't hurt to give it a try. And so far, i really like the Beech band. Best of Luck

@emmit I share your frustration. My neurologist said, “you don’t have Parkinson’s based on the Datscat so come back in 3 months.” She has prescribed Nortriptyline, which seems to help. Although it is usually prescribed as an anti-depressant, there is some evidence that it slows/prevents protein build up in the brain. There are some studies on this issue conducted by Michael J Fox foundation. My symptoms also point to PD and are very sporadic. I have good days and bad days. I will follow your lead and find a movement disorder specialist. I assume neurologists have specializations and I think both of us need one that specializes in Parkinson’s and/or movement disorders.

@ladylawyer RE: Dat Scan reports. I've only had one Dat Scan as I am very new to this. However, my report had more in it than just 5 words or "Normal". My concern is there is more to a Dat scan than just the shape of the cells--which is all my report mentioned. even though there was a clear distinction between the two cells. When I asked my neurologist, his response was--the people that write these reports know what they are doing. so clearly, he didn't know how to read the actual scans -- he was just simply reading the report narrative--which I can do too. He then said he doesn't need to see me again unless there are drastic changes. Apparently, there is not much they can do other than prescribe meds for this.
My symptoms point to early stages of PD. I have an appt. with a movement disorder specialist next month. In the meantime, I have done PT and OT to work on strength for my right side. and exercise is key to keeping the strength up to deal with the tremors.

@pderzy Fortunately Medicare covered it as a validated
test for alpha-synuclein. I’m not sure if it requires approval
as a test modality.

@seniormed it is not FDA approved.