Yes, this can happen. A DaTscan measures dopamine transporter activity in the brain, and in the early stages of Parkinson's, dopamine loss may not yet be significant enough to show up clearly on the scan.
As Parkinson's progresses over time, more dopamine-producing cells are lost, which means a repeat DaTscan years later Show Full Answer
Yes, this can happen. A DaTscan measures dopamine transporter activity in the brain, and in the early stages of Parkinson's, dopamine loss may not yet be significant enough to show up clearly on the scan.
As Parkinson's progresses over time, more dopamine-producing cells are lost, which means a repeat DaTscan years later could show abnormal results that weren't visible before. It's also worth keeping in mind that a DaTscan is not definitive on its own. Doctors use it alongside other tools to build a fuller picture, including:
- Neurological exams
- Medical history review
- How symptoms respond to Parkinson's medications like levodopa/carbidopa
- Other imaging like MRI or PET scans
- Genetic testing in some cases
If there's ever a concern that an earlier scan may not have captured the full picture, it's absolutely worth raising with a neurologist. Tracking how symptoms change over time is a key part of how Parkinson's is diagnosed and monitored.
October 20
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