Juvenile Parkinson’s
Between 5 and 10% of patients experience their first Parkinson’s symptoms before the age of 50—or even 40. In such cases, the diagnosis is early-onset Parkinson’s. Although rare, Parkinson’s disease can also occur in teenagers and children. When it appears before the age of 20, it is referred to as juvenile Parkinson’s. Just like in patients aged 60 and over, the symptoms of early-onset Parkinson’s vary from person to person.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms are motor-related; dystonia in particular—neurological movement disorders involving overactive muscles—is very common. It appears that young Parkinson’s patients have a stronger genetic predisposition to the disease. However, the disease tends to progress more slowly, and they retain their cognitive functions for a longer period.
Treatment
Because younger patients are more sensitive to the long-term side effects of Levodopa (such as tremors, walking difficulties, and involuntary movements) and will live with the disease for a longer time, they receive a different type of treatment. The use of Levodopa is postponed for as long as possible. Instead, they are prescribed dopamine agonists or MAO-B inhibitors.
