Parkinsonian Links

The Younger Set

Young Onset and Children of Parkinsons


Parkinson's Disease is normally thought of as a disease for older people, but there are a number of cases where younger people are diagnosed with Parkinson's. Michael J. Fox is probably the best known example of "Young Onset Parkinson's." Young Onset is defined variously, but often diagnosis before the age of 50 years is considered "Young Onset." People with Young Onset, because they are normally in the labor force, have different problems from the older people with Parkinson's, who are retired or looking toward retirement. Here are some articles written specifically for them:

  • Here's one article dealing with Young Onset, this from the APDA Young Onset Information and Referral Center.
  • Here's another article dealing with Young Onset.


The other younger people who have to deal with Parkinson's are the children whose parents (or aunts or uncles) have Parkinson's. There is a group in Southern California and Arizona called "COPS," standing for "Children of Parkinson's Society,"

This article has information on that subject, and this article has information for the whole family.



Return to top of Links Page

Return to Links Page, "What is Parkinson's"

It is a sad fact that every web page like this must add "Disclaimers apply."
Revised 20 March, 2004