The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has

 approved DaTscan (Ioflupane I 123 Injection), a radiopharmaceutical agent intended for use with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, for the detection of dopamine transporters (DaT) in the brains of adult patients with suspected Parkinsonian syndromes (PS).

DaTscan Consumer Information

Your doctor has prescribed a DaTscan imaging test for you or someone for whom you care. This test will give your doctor information to help him or her understand the symptoms you or your loved one is experiencing.

What is DaTscan?

DaTscan is an imaging drug that will be injected into the bloodstream to help your doctor assess a chemical in your brain called dopamine. A special device, called a gamma camera, will take pictures of your brain. These pictures and a report will be sent to your doctor, who can discuss the test results with you. The DaTscan results may help determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are the result of a Parkinsonian syndrome. Parkinsonian syndromes occur when your brain is not getting enough of the dopamine it needs to perform certain functions. This affects the brain's ability to control movement and other muscle functions.

There are different types of Parkinsonian syndromes. The most common is Parkinson's disease, also known as PD. Other types include multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy. DaTscan cannot distinguish between these different syndromes. In combination with other tests, DaTscan may help your doctor determine if you are suffering from a Parkinsonian syndrome.