Today I underwent a DaTscan test at the University of Maryland. The study, conducted by the Nuclear Medicine department, consists of an IV injection of a radionuclear, pharmologic agent, DaTscan, which takes three hours to circulate throughout the body. After three hours, a gamma camera takes photos of the brain to assess the status of dopamine-producing neurons in the substancia nigra, an area in the brain just above the brainstem. This is the area of the brain which produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter which facilitates movement throughout the body. It is the death of these dopamine-producing neuorns that are responsible for most of the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
PD is a disease of insidious onset; it is estimated that in classic PD 60% of those neurons are already non-functional. Unrecognized symptoms will have existed for several years at the time of diagnosis. Since there is no blood test or other formal test to ascertain the condition, doctors are left with piecing together symptoms that have been going on for years. In my case, I had an abnormal gait that affected my walking for about two years prior to diagnosis. The clinical signs, temor, rigidity, and slow movement are usually readily apparent at the time the diagnosis is made. It is a common disorder, affecting males more than females; over 70,000 new cases occur in the United States yearly. It is the second most common neurodegenrative disorder, Alzheimer's being the most frequent.
The test is not painful, although the substance stung a little as it was being infused. Since the diagnosis is clinical, the results of the test, whatever they are, will be inconclusive. It helps, though, to differentiate non-Parkinson's tremors from Parkinsonian tremors. It also helps to indicate Parkinsonian syndrome, a separate condition, which usually become Parkinson's in time.
Well, here I am just before the scan began:
Whatever the results, I will take them in stride. Wish me luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment