YOPD unpacked: Symptoms, diagnosis, genes and available treatments

Illustration showing the assessment of motor symptoms in a young patient with possible young-onset Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease that begins before the age of 50 — often referred to as young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) — doesn’t always follow the same path as the more typical form of the disease seen in older adults. Understanding these differences matters because it affects how symptoms show up, how the diagnosis is made, and how care can be planned.

Below we see the main differences based on available scientific evidence:

	Young-Onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD)	Typical Parkinson's disease (diagnosed after 50 years of age)
Disease progression	Generally slower	Typical pace
Genetic link	More likely to be familial/genetic	Less likely to have known genetic link
Thinking and memory issues	Less frequent/delayed	More frequent
Levodopa side effects	Higher risk of early dyskinesia	Lower risk of early dyskinesia

In the table above, we highlight the key differences based on available scientific evidence — helping you see how the experience of young-onset Parkinson’s can differ from later-onset disease.

To explore this topic in more depth and learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and management options tailored to young-onset Parkinson’s, read the full article here.