Parkinson’s Syndrome
What is Parkinson’s Syndrome
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year, and this number does not reflect the thousands of cases that go undetected.
Simply having tremors does not mean you have Parkinson’s disease. Because Parkinson’s disease symptoms are similar to symptoms of other neurological conditions, the misdiagnosis rate is significant. Approximately 25% of Parkinson’s disease diagnoses are incorrect.
Historically, movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease have primarily been diagnosed through clinical examinations, which are often inconclusive and can result in misdiagnosis. Many patients who are currently being treated for Parkinson’s do not, in fact, have it. A DaTscan™ procedure may help distinguish between Parkinson’s and other movement disorders such as ataxia, dystonia, essential tremors, Lewy Body dementia, and drug-induced parkinsonism. The DaTscan™ shows how dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is distributed in your brain:
Dopamine is an important brain chemical produced by neurons in areas of the brain which control movement
When these neurons die or become impaired, they produce less dopamine
Visualizing the status of the dopamine transporter in your brain can help determine diagnosis
Visualization of the dopamine transporter can add clarity to symptom presentation
SPECT imaging with DaTscan™ provides visual evidence of dopamine transporter status to aid in the assessment of your brain and your diagnosis
Common Symptoms
In the early stage of Parkinson’s disease, symptoms can be subtle and often go unnoticed. Signs and symptoms can be misleading or mimic other conditions, especially during the early stage of disease and in the elderly. Symptoms may not always tell the whole story.
Tremors can be caused by medications such as antipsychotics
Not all patients with Parkinson’s disease initially have a tremor
Rest tremor has been shown to be absent in approximately 23% of patients with Parkinson’s
Early symptoms of Parkinson’s may be mild or atypical and do not always match diagnostic criteria
Symptoms can overlap or resemble the symptoms of many different movement disorders
Impacted Areas of the Brain
Radiologists will recommend DaTscan™, which measures the activity of the putamen and looks for asymmetry. The results of the DaTscan™ are negative, CereScan can conduct additional testing to determine what may be causing your symptoms.
Research Articles
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PCC@cerescan.com