Parkinson's disease typically is diagnosed when a person is in their late 50s or older. Estimates vary, but about 10 to 20 percent of people may be diagnosed at age 50 or earlier. Doctors call this young- or earlier-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD).
No matter the age at diagnosis, potential PD symptoms and treatment options are the same. But younger people may be more or less likely to have certain symptoms, or have different treatment experiences. Because younger people may be building careers, starting families and have more years of life ahead, they also may face unique considerations with Parkinson’s.
Watch the video to learn more about young-onset PD.
Get a practical guide on sharing your Parkinson's diagnosis at work.