While it is true that most Parkinson patients develop the disease in their late fifties or early sixties, we know that at least 8 percent develop the disease younger than 40 years of age. There is growing concern that the number of young Parkinson patients is increasing. It is unclear whether the disease is actually increasing among the young or we are just recognizing it more often. We know that Parkinson's disease affects the young and old in different ways. Parkinson's support groups, educational organizations and publications have started to address these differences more directly in recent years.
Young patients tend to have more tremor, but better balance and walking.
Young patients sometimes have more involuntary movements or dyskinesia in response to medications, but have fewer problems with thinking abilities. The disease progresses at a slower pace for the young patients, and they are better able to tolerate some of the side-effects of the medications. The psychological and social impact of PD on a working person with family responsibilities is different from the impact on a retired person whose children are grown and out of the house. Many young patients are very concerned about whether they will be able to keep their jobs and continue to support themselves and their families. In my own practice I have seen many young patients forced to retire prematurely.