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Diagnostic work up when suspecting early onset Parkinson disease (EOPD). Recommendations from the MDS EOPD study group

Mehanna, Raja; Marras, Connie; Fleisher, Jori; Post, Bart; Kumar, Kishore Raj; Noyce, Alastair; Alcalay, Roy; ... EOPD study group; + view all (2025) Diagnostic work up when suspecting early onset Parkinson disease (EOPD). Recommendations from the MDS EOPD study group. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders , 135 , Article 107852. 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2025.107852.

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Abstract

Introduction: Early onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) has been defined as PD with onset of motor symptoms after age 21 but before age 50. While diagnostic criteria are clear, data suggest that clinicians are still uncomfortable making the diagnosis, resulting in multiple investigations and delays in diagnosis and initiation of treatment. // Methods: Following the Delphi process, the 15 members of the steering committee of the EOPD study group of the International Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) designed and completed a 10 binary or multiple-choice questions survey then met to establish recommendations regarding which investigations are needed for the diagnosis of EOPD. // Results: The average age of the 15 respondents (5 females) was 49 years, with 18.2 years average experience in the management of EOPD (range 9–30 years). All geographic sections of the MDS were represented to account for variability of practice. The committee discussed the role of brain MRI, Dopamine transporter (DaT) SPECT scan, laboratory investigation, and genetic testing when suspecting EOPD. // Conclusion: If EOPD is suspected on history and examination without any additional findings concerning for secondary or genetic parkinsonism, we recommend limiting investigations to brain MRI and laboratory investigation for Wilson's disease. This may expedite diagnosis and starting the appropriate treatment. Genetic testing is not necessary for diagnosis but can be useful to identify new genetic etiologies which could plausibly be used for trial inclusion.

Type: Article
Title: Diagnostic work up when suspecting early onset Parkinson disease (EOPD). Recommendations from the MDS EOPD study group
Location: England
DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2025.107852
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2025.107852
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease; Early onset; Diagnosis; Investigation
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Clinical and Movement Neurosciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10209120
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