Living with Parkinson disease 17
A genetic form of Parkinson disease that affects adults, with shaking, slowness, stiffness, and balance trouble.
Understanding Parkinson disease 17
It is very similar to the more common form of Parkinson disease. Symptoms tend to be milder, but they start about ten years earlier. Some people also have trouble with thinking and memory, mood changes, sense of smell, blood pressure, and digestion.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD describes these:
- Shaking (tremor)
- Slowness of movement
- Stiffness
- Balance problems
- Thinking and memory changes
- Trouble with smell, blood pressure, or digestion
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
American Parkinson Disease Association, Dysautonomia International and Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Expert lists: American Parkinson Disease Association, Dysautonomia International, Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Parkinson Disease Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in the VPS35 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, which means one changed copy of the gene is enough to cause it.
Also known as: autosomal dominant parkinson disease 17; park17; parkinson disease caused by mutation in vps35; parkinson disease type 17; vps35 parkinson disease
Patient organizations
- American Parkinson Disease AssociationParkinson disease 17 · United States
- Dysautonomia InternationalParkinson disease 17 · United States
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's ResearchParkinson disease 17 · United States
- Parkinson & Movement Disorder AllianceParkinson disease 17 · United States
- Parkinson's FoundationParkinson disease 17 · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Parkinson disease 17.
Explore research for Parkinson disease 17
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Find actively recruiting studies for Parkinson disease 17 with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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