Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Longitudinal Assessment of Parkinson's Motor Symptoms and Dopaminergic Dysfunction Patterns Using Datscan Publisher



Najmi AH1 ; Ariaei A2, 3 ; Khezri M4 ; Noroozi M5 ; Bafrani MA6 ; Gheysari A7 ; Sabetghadam F8 ; Ahmadi M9 ; Sadeghi M6 ; Mayeli M6
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, North Khorasan, Iraq
  2. 2. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iraq
  3. 3. Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iraq
  4. 4. School of Medicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Khuzestan, Iraq
  5. 5. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iraq
  6. 6. School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iraq
  7. 7. Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iraq
  8. 8. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Islamic Azad University Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iraq
  9. 9. School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iraq

Source: Clinical Parkinsonism and Related Disorders Published:2025


Abstract

Introduction: Determining Parkinson's disease (PD) stage and severity are among the factors affecting treatment strategy. Dopamine transporter scan (DaTSCAN) has high efficiency in the diagnosis of PD, while its role in predicting motor function, dyskinesia, and symptoms severity trajectory remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between motor symptoms patterns in PD with DaTscan findings. Methods: A total of 196 patients were included and grouped based on tremor score, postural instability and gait difficulty score, and the presentation of dyskinesia. Multivariate and ordinal logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between two-year follow-up of the PD patients’ motor symptoms assessment scores and DaTSCAN finding patterns. Results: Patients with dyskinesia exhibited significantly lower DaTSCAN uptake across all measured regions, with the most pronounced reductions observed in the right caudate and left putamen (p < 0.001). Additionally, DaTSCAN values were strongly associated with overall disease severity (p < 0.001). A notable positive correlation was found between DaTSCAN uptake and Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores, whereas significant negative correlations were observed between DaTSCAN measures (including the caudate, putamen, and anterior putamen) and clinical motor scores, such as MDS-UPDRS III, MDS-UPDRS II, and PIGD. In contrast, DaTSCAN parameters did not significantly predict tremor-dominant (TD) scores. Conclusion: Beyond its diagnostic utility, DaTSCAN provides meaningful insights into disease severity and motor dysfunction in PD, with particular relevance to postural instability and gait disturbance. © 2025 The Author(s)
Related Docs
1. Olfactory Dysfunction and Striatal Dopamine Transporter Binding in Motor Subtypes of Parkinson’S Disease, Neurological Sciences (2022)
2. Cerebrospinal Fluid Alpha-Synuclein, Amyloid Beta, Total Tau, and Phosphorylated Tau in Tremor-Dominant Parkinson’S Disease, Acta Neurologica Belgica (2023)