HEALTH

Juvenile Parkinson's disease, the symptoms to watch out for

The average age of onset of Parkinson's disease is estimated to be around 60 years. Although Parkinson's disease is generally considered a disease that affects older age groups, it may also affect younger people.

It is estimated that in 5% of those affected, Parkinson's disease can occur before the age of 40, and in very rare cases even earlier. Just think of the American actor Michael J. Fox, who started dealing with this disease at the age of 29.

In very young individuals, genetics can play a very significant role, at least in 60% of cases. It is speculated, in particular, that a mutation in the GBA gene may be relevant, although mutation does not necessarily mean that the disease will then present itself.

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Parkinson's disease and young people
The average age of onset of Parkinson's disease is estimated to be around 60 years. Although Parkinson's disease is generally considered a disease that affects older age groups, it may also affect younger people. It is estimated that in 5% of those affected, Parkinson's disease may occur before the age of 40, and in very rare cases even earlier.
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The GBA gene mutation
Just think of the American actor Michael J. Fox, who started dealing with this disease at the age of 29. In very young individuals, genetics can play a very significant role, at least in 60% of cases. It is speculated, in particular, that a mutation in the GBA gene may be relevant, although mutation does not necessarily mean that the disease will then present itself.
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The results of a recent study
According to a recent study conducted by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, the origin of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's (but also Alzheimer's) could be infectious agents that have penetrated through the nose and reached the central nervous system. Hence the fact that one of the earliest symptoms could be a sharp reduction in the sense of smell, which would occur even ten years before the onset of motor symptoms.
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Early symptoms
While approximately 30% of patients may present with an early symptom such as loss of sense of smell, 75% may present with constipation even before motor symptoms as it is assumed that another route of entry may be the intestinal route.
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The difficulty in diagnosis
Parkinson's disease tends to evolve more slowly in young people, who can manage it well for at least 10 to 15 years. In this case, the greatest difficulty is the delay with which the disease is diagnosed because juvenile Parkinson's is little known and the onset symptoms are not always linked to it.
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