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An update on the management of young-onset Parkinson's disease

Authors Klepac N, Habek M, Adamec I, Barušić AB, Bach I, Margetić E, Lušić I

Received 1 February 2013

Accepted for publication 29 June 2013

Published 7 October 2013 Volume 2013:3 Pages 53—62

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DNND.S34251

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 6



Nataša Klepac,1 Mario Habek,1 Ivan Adamec,1 Anabella Karla Barušic,1 Ivo Bach,1 Eduard Margetic,2 Ivo Lušic3

1Department of Neurology, Clinical University Hospital Zagreb, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Cardiology, Clinical University Hospital Zagreb, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Neurology, Clinical University Hospital, Medical School, University of Split, Split, Croatia

Abstract: In the text that follows, we review the main clinical features, genetic characteristics, and treatment options for Parkinson's disease (PD), considering the age at onset. The clinical variability between patients with PD points at the existence of subtypes of the disease. Identification of subtypes is important, since a focus on homogenous group may lead to tailored treatment strategies. One of the factors that determine variability of clinical features of PD is age of onset. Young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) is defined as parkinsonism starting between the ages of 21 and 40. YOPD has a slower disease progression and a greater incidence and earlier appearance of levodopa-induced motor complications; namely, motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Moreover, YOPD patients face a lifetime of a progressive disease with gradual worsening of quality of life and their expectations are different from those of their older counterparts. Knowing this, treatment plans and management of symptoms must be paid careful attention to in order to maintain an acceptable quality of life in YOPD patients.

Keywords: therapy, clinical features, dopamine agonist, levodopa, dyskinesia

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