ioflupane I-123

Ioflupane I-123 is a radiopharmaceutical used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic purposes. It is a cocaine analogue that binds with high affinity to presynaptic dopamine transporters (DAT) in the brain, particularly in the striatal region. When administered intravenously, it allows visualization of striatal dopamine transporters using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain imaging. The drug is primarily used to assist in the evaluation of adult patients with suspected Parkinsonian syndromes (PS), helping to differentiate essential tremor from tremor due to PS (idiopathic Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy). It can also help differentiate dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from other forms of dementia. Ioflupane I-123 contains the radioactive isotope iodine-123, which has a half-life of approximately 13 hours and emits gamma radiation that can be detected by a gamma camera during SPECT imaging. The procedure is typically performed 3-6 hours after administration of the drug.

Brand names

DaTscan

Other names

Ioflupane (123I)N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-[123I]iodophenyl)nortropane