Neuroimaging: ioflupane SPECT: 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 · Neuroimaging: ioflupane SPECT

Sample item

A patient with a tremor has an ioflupane (DaT) SPECT scan used to look for presynaptic dopaminergic degeneration. Which condition is expected to show a normal scan?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Drug-induced parkinsonism

Ioflupane binds the presynaptic dopamine transporter, which is lost in Parkinson disease and the atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Conditions with intact nigrostriatal neurons, such as drug-induced parkinsonism and essential tremor, give a normal scan.

Option by option

  • A. Multiple system atrophy

    Multiple system atrophy has presynaptic degeneration and reduced uptake.

  • B. Progressive supranuclear palsy

    Progressive supranuclear palsy also loses presynaptic terminals, giving reduced uptake.

  • C. Idiopathic Parkinson disease

    Parkinson disease loses the nigrostriatal terminals, so uptake is reduced.

  • D. Drug-induced parkinsonism (correct)

    Correct. Drug-induced parkinsonism blocks postsynaptic receptors, leaving transporters intact.

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 D, Drug-induced parkinsonism. Ioflupane binds the presynaptic dopamine transporter, which is lost in Parkinson disease and the atypical parkinsonian syndromes.

Why is "Multiple system atrophy" not the answer?

Multiple system atrophy has presynaptic degeneration and reduced uptake.

Why is "Progressive supranuclear palsy" not the answer?

Progressive supranuclear palsy also loses presynaptic terminals, giving reduced uptake.

Why is "Idiopathic Parkinson disease" not the answer?

Parkinson disease loses the nigrostriatal terminals, so uptake is reduced.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: ioflupane SPECT in Radiology. Conditions with intact nigrostriatal neurons, such as drug-induced parkinsonism and essential tremor, give a normal scan.

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 Neuroimaging: ioflupane SPECT?

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.