Open AccessA Practical Approach to Early-Onset Parkinsonism
Author(s) -
Giulietta Riboldi,
Emanuele Frattini,
Edoardo Monfrini,
Steven J. Frucht,
Alessio Di Fonzo
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of parkinson's disease/journal of parkinson's disease (online)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.747
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1877-718X
pISSN - 1877-7171
DOI - 10.3233/jpd-212815
Subject(s) - parkinsonism , disease , differential diagnosis , pediatrics , medicine , presentation (obstetrics) , age of onset , expert opinion , psychology , psychiatry , intensive care medicine , surgery , pathology
Early-onset parkinsonism (EO parkinsonism), defined as subjects with disease onset before the age of 40 or 50 years, can be the main clinical presentation of a variety of conditions that are important to differentiate. Although rarer than classical late-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) and not infrequently overlapping with forms of juvenile onset PD, a correct diagnosis of the specific cause of EO parkinsonism is critical for offering appropriate counseling to patients, for family and work planning, and to select the most appropriate symptomatic or etiopathogenic treatments. Clinical features, radiological and laboratory findings are crucial for guiding the differential diagnosis. Here we summarize the most important conditions associated with primary and secondary EO parkinsonism. We also proposed a practical approach based on the current literature and expert opinion to help movement disorders specialists and neurologists navigate this complex and challenging landscape.