> Dr Leiberman,
> Why is it that the medical community is so split on utilizing the
> FDOPA PET SCAN to the current regime (observational/MRI) for aiding in
> the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease? 
> It seems to many of us that if it this test can measure dopamine
> deficiency then it would be extremely benefiical in differentiating
> between Parkinson's disease and other forms (more treatable and
> manageable) of Parkinsonism, no dopamine deficiency then no
> Parkinson's "disease", is that correct? I would be happy if
> neurologists told us, the patients, about this test and let us make up
> our mind on wether or not "we" wish to have it done. The majority of
> the neuro's I speak to state there is no test that can show
> Parkinson's disease, does the f-dopa test not do this?
>  UCLA med center, among many other center, back this 100%.
> Ref: HYPERLINK "HYPERLINK
> "http://www.nuc.ucla.edu/html_docs/frame_pet.html"http://www.nuc.ucla.
> edu/html_docs/frame_pet.html"http://www.nuc.ucla.edu/html_docs/frame_p
> et.html"http://www.nuc.ucla.edu/html_docs/frame_pet.html
> This test is available at the following locations:  HYPERLINK
> "HYPERLINK
> "http://www.snidd.org/petsearchresults.cfm?radiotracerid=38"http://www
> .snidd.org/petsearchresults.cfm?radiotracerid=38"http://www.snidd.org/
> petsearchresults.cfm?radiotracerid=38"http://www.snidd.org/petsearchre
> sults.cfm?radiotracerid=38
> In the past 6 months we have pushed for our 600+ members at HYPERLINK
> "HYPERLINK
> "www.youngparkinsons.com"www.youngparkinsons.com"www.youngparkinsons.c
> om"www.youngparkinsons.com to get this scan. Six of these have been
> re-diagnosed from Parkinson's disease to other imitating diseases
> (there are many). The majority of our members were DENIED the test by
> their neuros stating that they never heard of the test or it is
> "unreliable".  
> It is my understanding, I may be mistaken, that the European version
> of this, the SPECT scan is used as a normal diagnostic tool overseas.
> Just curious why US neurologists are so split, or uninformed /
> misinformed of this tool.
> I have finally convinced the Chief of Neurolgy here at the VA to aid
> me in pursuing this test for me, I look forward to sharing my results
> and that of the many others pursuing this FDOPA PET scan.  
> It is our hope that this scan will dramatically reduce the current 25%
> misdiagnosis rate (at autopsy) of Parkinson's disease.
> PS: Bless Deb Setzer for starting us all on t his FDOPA PET SCAN road.
> I am happy to report that since her "un-diagnosis" of Parkinson's, and
> removal from medication, she is reportedly doing much better and is
> out of her wheel chair and plans to be dancing soon! She is even
> talking of pursuing a medical degree in neurology! 
> INFORMATION
> FDOPA PET Scan 
> Evaluating movement disorders
> Ref: HYPERLINK "HYPERLINK
> "http://www.nationalpetscan.com/petneur.htm"http://www.nationalpetscan
> .com/petneur.htm"http://www.nationalpetscan.com/petneur.htm"http://www
> .nationalpetscan.com/petneur.htm
> Involuntary movement disorders such as Parkinson's Disease,
> Huntington's Disease, and Tourette Syndrome can be difficult to
> diagnose. PET can help a physician decide whether a patient's muscle
> tremor is Parkinson's disease or another of the "Movement" disorders.
> Using labeled amino acid, PET can determine if the patient's brain has
> a deficiency in dopamine synthesis.As new treatments for epilepsy,
> dementias, and movement disorders are developed, the need for early
> diagnoses provided by PET exams should likewise grow. 
> 
> PET Centers that use [F-18]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
> HYPERLINK "HYPERLINK
> "http://www.snidd.org/petsearchresults.cfm?radiotracerid=38"http://www
> .snidd.org/petsearchresults.cfm?radiotracerid=38"http://www.snidd.org/
> petsearchresults.cfm?radiotracerid=38"http://www.snidd.org/petsearchre
> sults.cfm?radiotracerid=38 
> 
> source: HYPERLINK "HYPERLINK
> "http://www.nuc.ucla.edu/html_docs/PET/petbrochure.pdf"http://www.nuc.
> ucla.edu/html_docs/PET/petbrochure.pdf"http://www.nuc.ucla.edu/html_do
> cs/PET/petbrochure.pdf"http://www.nuc.ucla.edu/html_docs/PET/petbrochu
> re.pdf 
> PET images of the brain will show if you have Parkinson’s disease. A
> labeled amino acid called F-DOPA is used with PET to see if your brain
> has a deficiency in dopamine synthesis. If it doesn’t, then you do not
> suffer from Parkinson’s, and your tremor will be treated differently. 
> P ET is safe. 
> P ET replaces multiple medical testing procedures with a single exam. 
> PET shows all the organ systems of the body with one image. 
> P ET diagnoses disease often before it shows up on other tests. 
> PET shows the progress of disease and how the body responds to
> treatment. 
> P ET reduces or eliminates ineffective or unnecessary surgical or
> medical treatments 
> and hospitalization. 
> PET significantly reduces multiple medical costs and avoids needless
> pain to the patient. 
> People expect quality medical care at a reasonable cost and up-to-date
> diagnosis and treatment. Medical costs are most expensive when doctors
> are pursuing the origin of disease. As long as the disease is unknown,
> more tests will be done and more costs will result. 
> PET can effectively pinpoint the source of many of the most common
> cancers, heart and neurological diseases, eliminating the need for
> redundant tests and diagnostic surgical procedures. PE T is a
> powerful, proven diagnostic imaging modality that displays the
> biological basis of function in the organ systems of the human body
> unobtainable through any other means. 
> In a world of limited resources, PET saves time,saves money, and, most
> importantly, saves lives.
> 
> 
> Thomas Berdine
> President
> Young Onset Parkinson's Association 
> HYPERLINK "HYPERLINK
> "www.yopa.org"www.yopa.org"www.yopa.org"www.yopa.org
> Founder
> HYPERLINK "HYPERLINK
> "www.youngparkinsons.com"www.youngparkinsons.com"www.youngparkinsons.c
> om"www.youngparkinsons.com
> 
> 
> The Young Onset Parkinson's Association is a legal corporation,
> incorporated as a not-for-profit in New Mexico and headquartered in
> Albuquerque. We are in the middle of applying for our 501C(3) federal
> tax exemption status and expect to have it within 2 - 6 months. If
> this exemption is not approved, at first, your donation may not be tax
> exempt until the time that we are approved federally.
> 
> 
> 
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