Early-Onset Parkinson’s Disease

Early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD), also called young-onset Parkinson’s (YOPD), affects people between ages 21 and 50.

This condition targets your movement over time. It causes the same main symptoms as Parkinson’s disease, like tremors, stiffness and slow movements. But it usually progresses slowly and causes fewer problems with thinking and memory in later stages.

As you manage this condition, you may face long-term challenges related to how it affects your mental health, body and personal life. Your care team can help you address these concerns and any other needs along the way.

Early-onset Parkinson’s symptoms

In young onset, some symptoms stay mild at first. Symptoms are similar to Parkinson’s disease, but there are usually early signs that are subtle and easy to overlook. For example, you might notice mood changes and non-movement symptoms sooner than balance and walking problems.

Common movement symptoms include:

• Dystonia: Painful cramping (like toe curling or foot cramping) or abnormal postures
• Muscle stiffness: Tight or rigid muscles in your arms, legs or trunk
• Problems with balance and coordination: Usually, a milder symptom early on
• Slowed movements: Harder to start movements, and may take longer to do things, like get dressed or prepare a meal
• Tremor: Shaking (often at rest) in your hands, arms, legs, jaw or face

You may also have non-movement symptoms, like:

• Constipation or urinary problems
• Pain
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sleep issues, like insomnia or a tendency to act out dreams

Early-onset Parkinson’s disease causes

EOPD is often idiopathic, meaning providers don’t know what causes it. But there may be an underlying genetic cause. Researchers found several gene changes that may link to this condition. These include:

• PRKN
• PINK1
• DJ-1
• SNCA
• LRRK2
• GBA1

Many of these genes help brain cells make energy, clear out damaged parts or handle important proteins. When these processes don’t work as expected, dopamine-producing brain cells become stressed and may slowly stop working or die. Dopamine is an important chemical that helps control movement. When dopamine levels drop low enough, Parkinson’s symptoms can appear.

Risk factors

Early-onset Parkinson’s can affect anyone, but you may be more at risk if you:

• Are male
• Have a biological family history of Parkinson’s disease, especially if there are multiple family members with Parkinson’s disease

Complications

Over time, this disease may lead to:

• Changes in thinking or memory later in life
• Difficulty speaking or communicating
• Injuries from balance problems or falls
• Mental health challenges, like anxiety and depression
• Trouble swallowing

What challenges does early-onset Parkinson’s disease bring?

A young-onset diagnosis early in life may bring challenges that affect many parts of your life. These may include:

• Emotional health and stigma: Depression and anxiety are common. You might feel frustrated or misunderstood because Parkinson’s is often seen later in life.
• Family and relationships: You may be raising children, building partnerships or caring for others when symptoms begin. Changes in energy, movement or mood might strain family life and relationships.
• Long-term planning: Living with Parkinson’s for many decades means making treatment choices with your future in mind and adjusting to changes over time. This can be mentally and emotionally demanding.
• Work and finances: Symptoms may interfere with careers during working years. It may lead to reduced hours, job changes or early retirement. This might create long-term financial stress.

How doctors diagnose early-onset Parkinson’s disease

A healthcare provider will diagnose young-onset Parkinson’s disease in the same way they’d diagnose late-onset Parkinson’s disease. They’ll give you a thorough medical exam and carefully review your symptoms. They’ll be looking to see how movement symptoms start, how they change over time and how they affect your daily life.

Your provider will ask about your health history and do a neurological exam. They’ll watch how you walk, move your hands and arms, and respond to simple movement tasks. Because early-onset Parkinson’s begins at a younger age, your provider may also ask about family history and when symptoms first appeared.

There isn’t a single test that can diagnose Parkinson’s disease. But additional tests may be helpful to rule out other conditions. In some cases, your provider may order genetic testing if Parkinson’s runs in your family.

Early-onset Parkinson’s treatment

Treatment is personalized. The goal is to manage symptoms, help you stay independent and protect your quality of life over many years. Treatment plans often change over time as symptoms change.

Medications

Medications are the main treatment. They help manage movement symptoms, like tremors, stiffness and slowed movements. Some medications also help with non-movement issues, like mood changes or sleep problems.

A common medication is Levodopa. It helps manage movement symptoms.

Over time, medications may work differently as the condition changes. Your provider may adjust treatment to better manage symptoms and reduce side effects.

Surgery

Surgery may be an option if medications no longer help with management.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) uses implanted electrodes to regulate brain signals that cause movement problems. DBS may reduce tremors and muscle stiffness.

Surgery doesn’t cure Parkinson’s disease, but it may improve how you feel every day.

Supportive therapies

Supportive therapies play an important role. These approaches work alongside medical care to help you function as well as possible and feel more comfortable day to day. Your provider might recommend:

• Physical therapy: Helps with walking, balance and movement to guide you toward exercises that fit your abilities
• Occupational therapy: Focuses on daily tasks, like writing, dressing or using your hands more easily
• Speech therapy: Helps with voice changes, speech clarity and swallowing concerns

Starting therapy early may give you tools you can use as symptoms change over time.

You may also find that small adjustments to your daily routine can help, too. Staying active in ways that feel safe and realistic for you may help with stiffness and energy. Eating balanced meals may support your general health as well.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you’re under 50 and notice symptoms that don’t go away, it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider. Make an appointment if you notice:

• A resting tremor on one side of your body
• Slower movements that make daily tasks harder, like buttoning clothes or typing
• Muscle stiffness
• Changes in how you walk, like dragging one leg or taking shorter steps
• Painful muscle cramps or toe curling during physical activities
• Ongoing balance issues

You may also want to see a provider if you notice non-movement changes that don’t have a clear cause, like:

• Ongoing depression or anxiety
• Constipation that doesn’t improve
• Sleep problems
• Losing your sense of smell

Many of these symptoms can have other causes. But if they keep happening, worsen or start affecting your daily life, it’s worth getting checked. If something feels off and isn’t improving, trust that feeling and ask for an evaluation.

What is the prognosis for early-onset Parkinson’s disease?

This condition slowly gets worse over time. How much symptoms affect your daily life varies from person to person. Symptoms often progress more slowly in EOPD than in people who develop Parkinson’s later in life. Many keep their thinking and memory skills for a long time and may develop Parkinson’s dementia later or not at all.

At the same time, developing this condition earlier means living with it longer. New challenges may appear over time, like changes in movement or medication side effects. Treatment plans often need adjustments as symptoms change.

Your care team can help you understand more about what you can expect, as everyone’s experience is different.

Early-onset Parkinson’s life expectancy

This condition isn’t usually fatal on its own. But complications may affect your overall health. For example, swallowing problems might raise the risk of food or liquid entering your lungs. This may lead to aspiration pneumonia.

Research suggests that early-onset Parkinson’s disease may shorten the lifespan for some people. Still, many live close to what’s expected, especially with ongoing treatment and careful management of symptoms.