DaTscan is a radiopharmaceutical imaging agent that works by binding to dopamine transporters (DaT) in the brain.
As a specific marker for DaT it produces images that provide visual evidence based on the density of dopamine transporters.
The multi-center, open label, randomized clinical trial compared the management, diagnosis, confidence of diagnosis (CoD), and quality of life (QoL) at four, 12 weeks and 52 weeks after randomization to either undergo DaTscan SPECT imaging (N=1331 randomized; 119 dosed and scanned) or not (N=136).
Interim results showed more patients in the DaTscan group had changes from baseline (pre-DaTscan) diagnosis and their physicians had a higher mean CoD compared with the control group at both four and 12 weeks post-randomization.
GE Healthcare said DaTscan is an adjunct for use in differentiating between PS and disorders such as essential tremor (ET) that have similar symptoms.
GE Healthcare Medical Diagnostics MI-SPECT Segment leader Stephen Lightfoot said they believe that DaTscan imaging may contribute to reduced healthcare expenditures over time by preventing patients from receiving misdiagnoses or inappropriate treatment.
