Overview
Atypical juvenile parkinsonism is a rare neurological condition that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease but begins at an unusually young age, typically before age 21. Unlike the more common form of Parkinson's disease that affects older adults, this juvenile form has features that are considered 'atypical,' meaning the symptoms or disease course may differ from what is usually seen in classic Parkinson's disease. Affected individuals may experience slowness of movement (bradykinesia), muscle stiffness or rigidity, tremor, difficulty with balance and walking, and sometimes additional neurological problems such as dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal postures), cognitive difficulties, or psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety. The disease is caused by progressive changes in the brain, particularly in areas that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger important for controlling movement. Because it starts so early in life, it can significantly affect a young person's development, education, and social life. Treatment is mainly symptomatic and often involves medications used in Parkinson's disease, such as levodopa, though the response may vary. Some patients respond well to levodopa initially, while others may have a limited or fluctuating response. Supportive therapies including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support are also important parts of care. Research into the genetic causes and potential disease-modifying treatments is ongoing, but currently there is no cure.
Key symptoms:
Slowness of movementMuscle stiffness or rigidityTremor, often at restDifficulty walking or unsteady gaitInvoluntary muscle contractions causing abnormal postures (dystonia)Balance problems and frequent fallsDifficulty with fine motor tasks like writingSpeech changes such as soft or slurred speechDepression or anxietySleep disturbancesCognitive difficulties or trouble concentratingFatigue and low energyDifficulty swallowing
Clinical phenotype terms (27)— hover any for plain English
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Juvenile
Begins in the teen years
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventiRegene Therapeutics Co., Ltd. — PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Atypical juvenile parkinsonism.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Atypical juvenile parkinsonism.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What genetic testing should be done to identify the specific cause of my condition?,How will my symptoms likely change over time, and what can I expect in the coming years?,What medications are best for my specific type of juvenile parkinsonism, and what side effects should I watch for?,Am I a candidate for deep brain stimulation surgery now or in the future?,What therapies (physical, occupational, speech) should I be doing regularly?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should know about?,Should my family members be tested for the same genetic condition?
Common questions about Atypical juvenile parkinsonism
What is Atypical juvenile parkinsonism?
Atypical juvenile parkinsonism is a rare neurological condition that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease but begins at an unusually young age, typically before age 21. Unlike the more common form of Parkinson's disease that affects older adults, this juvenile form has features that are considered 'atypical,' meaning the symptoms or disease course may differ from what is usually seen in classic Parkinson's disease. Affected individuals may experience slowness of movement (bradykinesia), muscle stiffness or rigidity, tremor, difficulty with balance and walking, and sometimes additiona
At what age does Atypical juvenile parkinsonism typically begin?
Typical onset of Atypical juvenile parkinsonism is juvenile. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Atypical juvenile parkinsonism?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Atypical juvenile parkinsonism on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Atypical juvenile parkinsonism?
1 specialists and care centers treating Atypical juvenile parkinsonism are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.