Juvenile Parkinsonism

Juvenile parkinsonism is a general term that refers to progressive neurodegenerative disorders in which signs of parkinsonism develop before approximately age 20. Juvenile parkinsonism may be primary and familial or may occur secondary to other heredodegenerative disorders, such as Huntington's disease.

Families have been reported in which primary juvenile parkinsonism appears to be transmitted as an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive trait. Initial findings may include lower limb dystonia or signs of parkinsonism, such as slowness of movement (bradykinesia), rigidity, and tremor. Additional findings may include postural instability and balance difficulties, mask-like facial expression, difficulties speaking (dysarthria), and/or other features. As with PD, reports suggest that most patients respond to therapy with L-dopa.

	Other Heredodegenerative Dystonias