i thought the usual quoted stats is 10% of those dx are under the age of 50. 
Can someone please confirm?

----------------
According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, roughly 20 percent
of those diagnosed are under age 50, and half of those patients got that
diagnosis before age 40.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "rayilynlee" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 10:08 PM
Subject: Young-Onset PD more common now


> Doctors Diagnosing 'Young Onset' Parkinson's More Often
> Token Creek Man Managing Symptoms
> UPDATED: 10:13 am CDT July 7, 2009
>
> MADISON, Wis. -- Since the high-profile diagnosis of actor Michael J. Fox 
> in 1991 at age 30, Parkinson's disease has become well-known as a growing 
> and even somewhat common disease.
>
> The disease, though, is not one confined to just the aging anymore. When 
> someone younger than 40 is diagnosed, it's considered "young onset" 
> Parkinson's disease. The brain degeneration that causes rigidity and 
> tremors can be even more challenging mentally for a younger patient.
>
> However, as the disease becomes more common, some are taking it in stride.
> Bob Nasett was diagnosed 10 years ago at the age of 37, after watching his 
> father die of Parkinson's.
>
> "When he got the disease, he was stiff and had slowness of movement," said 
> Nasett. "Turning a screwdriver, I could tell that movement was difficult 
> for me, and I was stiff getting out of chairs, and that's when I started 
> to realize that it was probably what I had."
> Nasett's brother was diagnosed just a year later, at the age of 31. 
> They're both one of a growing number being diagnosed at what seems like 
> younger and younger ages.
>
> "I think we are seeing more and more because we're more aware of the 
> disorder," said Dr. Efrain Perez, director of the American Parkinson's 
> Disease Association. "In the old days, we started attributing that we were 
> getting older, so it's OK to have a little problem with balance, it's OK 
> to be slow, OK to be hunched. But nowadays, we realize that this is 
> different manifestations."
>
> Get embed codeSave & ShareDr. Perez said stiffness or weakness in limbs 
> can be the first signs of the brain function failing. The major effort, 
> especially in younger patients, is to manage the symptoms, because they 
> can only be controlled for 25 to 30 years, said Perez.
> "The whole idea is maintaining the patient's ability to function," said 
> Perez. "There's no cure for Parkinson's disease, so you basically treat 
> the symptoms."
> Nasett has been dealing with symptoms now for 10 years. Despite the 
> disease, has managed to landscape the outside of his Token Creek home.
>
> "The medications I'm on now today, I feel like I have better control," 
> said Nasett. "With my exercise program, and my desire to fight as long as 
> I can, I think I have better control today than I had before."
>
> The treatment of Parkinson's now can include a number of different 
> medications that can control the symptoms. Some come with side-effects and 
> can affect each patient differently. Dr. Perez said that exercise is also 
> proving to help drastically with movement. Nasett is currently in a study 
> at the University of Wisconsin dealing with how exercise can help control 
> motion.
>
> There is no cure, and there isn't a known cause for Parkinson's. Doctors 
> will diagnose 60,000 new cases this year alone -- most will be in people 
> over age 60.
>
> According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, roughly 20 
> percent of those diagnosed are under age 50, and half of those patients 
> got that diagnosis before age 40.
>
> Rayilyn Brown
> Director AZNPF
> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
> [log in to unmask]
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