Nuclear medicine: dopamine transporter scan: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Nuclear medicine: dopamine transporter scan

Sample item

A 65-year-old man has a unilateral resting tremor and the diagnosis between Parkinson disease and essential tremor is unclear. Which study helps most?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ioflupane (DaTscan) SPECT showing reduced striatal uptake in Parkinson disease

Ioflupane binds the presynaptic dopamine transporter and shows reduced striatal uptake when nigrostriatal neurons are lost, as in Parkinson disease. In essential tremor the scan is normal.

Option by option

  • A. Gallium-67 whole-body scan

    Gallium localises infection, inflammation and some tumours.

  • B. Technetium-99m MDP bone scan

    A bone scan has no role in distinguishing tremor syndromes.

  • C. Ioflupane (DaTscan) SPECT showing reduced striatal uptake in Parkinson disease (correct)

    Correct. A reduced striatal signal supports degenerative parkinsonism.

  • D. Ventilation-perfusion scan

    A ventilation-perfusion scan evaluates the lung.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, Ioflupane (DaTscan) SPECT showing reduced striatal uptake in Parkinson disease. Ioflupane binds the presynaptic dopamine transporter and shows reduced striatal uptake when nigrostriatal neurons are lost, as in Parkinson disease.

Why is "Gallium-67 whole-body scan" not the answer?

Gallium localises infection, inflammation and some tumours.

Why is "Technetium-99m MDP bone scan" not the answer?

A bone scan has no role in distinguishing tremor syndromes.

Why is "Ventilation-perfusion scan" not the answer?

A ventilation-perfusion scan evaluates the lung.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nuclear medicine: dopamine transporter scan in Radiology. In essential tremor the scan is normal.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Nuclear medicine: dopamine transporter scan?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.