Parkinson's disease is a long-term (chronic) neurological condition that affects around 120,000 people in the UK. It is named after Dr James Parkinson, who first identified it in 1817. Parkinson's disease affects the way the brain co-ordinates body movements, including walking, talking and writing.
Who is affected by Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease affects men and women, although men are statistically slightly more likely to develop it than women.
The risk of getting Parkinson's disease increases with age. Symptoms usually appear in people who are over the age of 50. However, younger people can also be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Young-onset Parkinson's disease
When the symptoms of Parkinson's disease occur in a person between 21 and 40 years of age, it is known as young-onset Parkinson's disease.
Juvenile Parkinson's disease
If a person is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease before the age of 18, it is known as juvenile Parkinson's disease. This is very rare.
Of the 10,000 people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the UK each year, 1 in 20 is under the age of 40.
