Researchers are studying these disparities to understand more about the disease and health care access and to improve inclusivity across care and research. Men are diagnosed with Parkinson’s at a higher rate than women and whites more than other races. ( Read more about young-onset Parkinson’s.) Still, some people get PD at 40 or younger. Learning more about the genetics of Parkinson’s is one of our best chances to understand more about the disease and discover how to slow or stop its progression.Īging is the greatest risk factor for Parkinson’s, and the average age at diagnosis is 60. But in the vast majority of people, Parkinson’s is not directly related to a single genetic mutation. Certain genetic mutations are linked to an increased risk of PD. Still, most people have no clear exposure that doctors can point to as a straightforward cause. Certain environmental exposures, such as pesticides and head injury, are associated with an increased risk of PD.

Researchers believe that in most people, Parkinson's is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Even though broad paths of similarity are observed among individuals with PD as the disease progresses, there is no guarantee you will experience what you see in others.Įstimates suggest that Parkinson’s affects nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 6 million people worldwide.įor an in-depth guide to navigating Parkinson’s disease and living well as the disease progresses, check out our Parkinson’s 360 toolkit. As symptoms and progression vary from person to person, neither you nor your doctor can predict which symptoms you will get, when you will get them or how severe they will be. The experience of living with Parkinson's over the course of a lifetime is unique to each person. PD is a lifelong and progressive disease, which means that symptoms slowly worsen over time. Because PD can cause tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems, it is called a “movement disorder.” But constipation, depression, memory problems and other non-movement symptoms also can be part of Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die.

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