DaT Scan

mawvkysc

Hello. My father is so far is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s (doesn’t show typical Alz symptoms to me), vascular dementia and Parkinsonian features. The neuro wants to do a DaT scan. Dad gets very tired and has so many appointments already. The Dr I guess wants to confirm Parkinsonism which covers Lewy Body dementia. Dad doesn’t have tremors. The dr seemed to suggest the meds for Parkinson’s mainly help with tremors and not the other symptoms. A friend said her sister was without tremors but the meds helped her voice.

Does anyone have experience with how hard the scan was for their loved one? It’s a long appointment as you have to drink something and wait 3 hours. That is the other thing. Dad hardly drinks. He takes a tee tiny sip at a time. Not only does he need to drink meds for this but is supposed to drink a lot of water before and after.

The dr may be wanting this as he is trying to help Dad prove Parkinsonism to the VA for a disability claim. He shows lots of symptoms. Anyone have experience getting the Parkinsonism covered without a DaT scan? (The dr brought up Parkinsonism to us. He had no idea Dad was a vet or about the PACT act)

Any thought would be appreciated.

Thanks

Marta

No personal experience, but data shows the DaT scan is no better at diagnosing PD than a neuro exam by a competent neurologist.

You might contact the neuro (through patient portal is best) and ask how the results of the scan are to be used.

mawvkysc

@Marta Thank you.