Session Information
Date: Monday, October 8, 2018
Session Title: Parkinson's Disease: Neuroimaging And Neurophysiology
Session Time: 1:15pm-2:45pm
Location: Hall 3FG
Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the relevance of unilateral abnormal dopamine transporter (DaT) scans in patients presenting with clinically uncertain Parkinsonian syndromes (CUPS), and hypothesise that such scans may presage the development of Parkinson’s disease and degenerative Parkinsonism.
Background: Dopamine transporter (DaT) scans are currently used in the investigation of patients with clinically uncertain Parkinsonian syndromes (CUPS). At present, bilateral abnormal DaT scans are accepted to be diagnostic of Parkinson’s disease and degenerative Parkinsonism, while normal DaT scans suggest non-degenerative causes. However, the clinical significance of unilateral abnormal DaT scans remains ambiguous.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for patients with CUPS presenting to a specialist movement disorder clinic within a tertiary institution, and who had underwent DaT scans. Demographic data, clinical features, imaging results and clinical diagnoses were collected. In patients with unilateral abnormal DaT scans, follow-up assessments, further imaging and diagnostic changes were also recorded.
Results: A total of 200 DaT scans were performed from 1 January 2008 to 1 January 2017. There were 100 (50.0%) with normal DaT scans, 77 (38.5%) with bilateral abnormal scans, and 23 (11.5%) with unilateral abnormal scans. Of the latter group (N=23), 8 (34.8%) underwent follow-up DaT imaging in a mean period of 31.9 ± 12.6 months from baseline, with 4 (17.4%) reported as abnormal bilateral DaT scans, although 2 (8.7%) remained unilateral and 2 (8.7%) were reported as normal.
Conclusions: We demonstrate that unilateral abnormal DaT scans can progress towards bilateral reduction in tracer uptake over time, serving as a predictive factor for future development of Parkinson’s disease and degenerative Parkinsonism.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
N. Heng, M.Y. Chin, C. Monaghan, J. Dadvidson, T. Gilbertson, M. Muqit. Unilateral abnormal dopamine transporter (DaT) scans: Early indicator of Parkinson’s disease and degenerative Parkinsonism [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2018; 33 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/unilateral-abnormal-dopamine-transporter-dat-scans-early-indicator-of-parkinsons-disease-and-degenerative-parkinsonism/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to 2018 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/unilateral-abnormal-dopamine-transporter-dat-scans-early-indicator-of-parkinsons-disease-and-degenerative-parkinsonism/