National Parkinson Foundation Recognizes Unique Differences In Young Parkinson Patients At Conference In D.C.

Main Category: Parkinson's Disease
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 08 Jul 2006 - 17:00 PDT

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Attendance at the National Parkinson Foundation's (NPF) 2006 Young-Onset Parkinson Network conference held in Washington, D.C., today will double that of the first conference in 2003. This reflects the growing number of people under 50 who are diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD), and an increased realization of their special needs. Significant differences in the way Parkinson disease progresses in younger patients, and in how these patients respond to treatment, point to underlying physiological differences that desperately need to be researched, according to experts speaking at the conference.

"There are 150,000 to 225,000 people in the prime of their career and family lives who are struggling with this progressive, disabling disease. Continued research is needed to fully understand the biological differences and to tailor existing treatment to this younger group, who will live much longer with the disease and its medical, social and psychological challenges," said Ruth Hagestuen, field services director of NPF.

Although young patients have presented with Parkinson symptoms for decades, physicians often dismissed the idea that mothers of young children and recent college graduates could have a disease that is typically diagnosed in seniors.

"With the current body of research, I don't think we can go so far as to say that the young-onset group has a completely different and distinct disease, but there are tantalizing clues that beg for focused research with the hope of developing more effective treatments, and possibly even preventive strategies for these younger patients," added Michael S. Okun, M.D., national medical director of NPF.

According to NPF:

- Parkinson disease progresses much slower in younger people than those patients who are 70 and older (almost twice as slow).

- YOPD patients tend to develop motor complications earlier, such as dyskinesias, dystonia, and motor fluctuations.

- YOPD accounts for approximately 15 percent of the 1.5 million Americans who are currently diagnosed with the disease. Many more may be afflicted, but are misdiagnosed.

- The full progression of the disease may take anywhere from 10 to 40 years in young-onset patients.

- YOPD patients perceive greater stigma, have higher depressions scores, and rate their quality of life as worse, on average, than patients with older onset who have similar disease severity.

Today's conference provides young-onset patients, who are often isolated by the disease, a much-needed opportunity to share life experiences and find support. Presentations are being made by leading experts and medical professionals, and include topics, such as genetic clues, new clinical developments, medication management and how to navigate employment issues and disability benefits.

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in Miami, NPF's dual mission is to find the cause of and cure for Parkinson disease, as well as to improve the quality of life for those afflicted with the debilitating disease.

National Parkinson Foundation
http://www.parkinson.org

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