Living with Young-onset Parkinson disease
A rare form of Parkinson disease that begins between ages 21 and 45, with stiffness, tremor and slow movement.
Understanding Young-onset Parkinson disease
Symptoms include stiff muscles, painful cramps followed by tremor, slow movement (bradykinesia), twisting muscle postures (dystonia), and walking problems with falls. There can be non-motor symptoms too. GARD says the disease usually progresses slowly, and most people respond well to dopamine-based medicines.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Tremor
- Muscle stiffness (rigidity)
- Balance problems
- Involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
- Depression
- Apathy and hallucinations
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
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Dysautonomia International and Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: 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 Dysautonomia International 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
GARD says changes in genes cause this condition but doesn't name a gene here. It is listed as autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.
Also known as: early onset parkinson disease; early onset parkinson's disease; early-onset parkinson disease; yopd; young onset parkinson disease; young onset parkinson's disease
Patient organizations
- Dysautonomia InternationalYoung-onset Parkinson disease · United States
- Parkinson & Movement Disorder AllianceParkinsonism · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Young-onset Parkinson disease.
Explore research for Young-onset Parkinson disease
Explore actively recruiting Young-onset Parkinson disease studies with HealthSpark.
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- 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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