The influence of age and gender on Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease affects millions of people worldwide and is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. While the exact origin of the disease is not yet fully understood, age and gender are two of the most important factors that influence the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The disease is more common in older people and affects men more than women. In this article, we will examine how age and gender influence the risk and progression of Parkinson’s and what research has revealed.

Age as the greatest risk factor

Parkinson’s and ageing

Age is the most significant risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. More than 90% of cases occur in people over the age of 60, and the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s increases exponentially with age. It is estimated that around 1-2% of people over the age of 60 suffer from Parkinson’s. However, the disease can also affect younger people – in around 10% of those affected, it begins before the age of 50, which is known as early-onset Parkinson’s disease (juvenile Parkinson’s).

With age, the number of dopamine-producing cells in the brain naturally decreases. As Parkinson’s is characterised by the loss of these cells, the risk of developing the disease increases with age. At the same time, other age-related changes in the brain also play a role, such as a decrease in brain plasticity and antioxidant protection, which make the brain more susceptible to neurodegenerative processes.

Personal observation

I have found in my work that many people view Parkinson’s as a “normal part of ageing”, which means that symptoms are often overlooked. Many people believe that tremors, stiffness or slowed movements are simply age-related and are therefore reluctant to seek medical help. This perception shows how important it is to raise awareness of the condition, especially among older people.

Age and disease progression

Age not only influences the risk of developing Parkinson’s, but also the progression of the disease. Younger patients generally have a slower progression and respond better to medication such as levodopa. In older patients, however, the disease often worsens more quickly and they have a higher risk of complications such as dementia and falls.

Older people are also more likely to experience non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment, depression and sleep disorders. These symptoms worsen quality of life and significantly increase the need for care.

Early-onset Parkinson’s disease

Although Parkinson’s disease typically occurs in older people, there are cases in which the disease is diagnosed before the age of 50. This is known as early-onset Parkinson’s disease and is often linked to genetic factors. People with early-onset Parkinson’s often have slower disease progression, but are affected by motor symptoms over a longer period of time, which can affect their quality of life for decades.

Personal observation

An acquaintance who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 45 reported that living with the disease at a young age was particularly challenging, as he was in the middle of his working life and still had a family to look after. The motor impairments made his daily life considerably more difficult, but he also noted that his response to medication was better than that of older patients he knew. This shows that age has a significant influence on how the disease progresses and how well it can be treated.

Gender and Parkinson’s

Higher risk in men

Studies show that men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than women. Men have a 1.5 times higher risk of suffering from the disease, which is consistently observed worldwide. There are several theories as to why men are more affected than women, but the exact reasons are not yet fully understood.

Hormonal influences

One theory is that hormonal differences between men and women could play a role. Oestrogen, the female sex hormone, is seen as a possible protective factor for women. Oestrogen could help protect the dopamine-producing cells in the brain from degeneration, which explains why women are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease and are diagnosed later on average.

Studies have shown that women who enter menopause early or have had a hysterectomy have a higher risk of Parkinson’s, supporting the role of oestrogen as a protective factor. Conversely, women who take hormone replacement therapy after menopause may have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s, although research on this topic is not yet clear.

Environmental and lifestyle factors

Another possible explanation is that environmental and lifestyle factors could contribute more to the development of Parkinson’s in men. Men are more likely to work in jobs where they are exposed to pesticides, solvents or heavy metals – substances that are associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The fact that men on average have a lower life expectancy than women could also play a role, as they may have less access to medical care and preventive measures in old age.

Differences in the symptoms

Interestingly, there are also differences in symptoms between men and women. Studies have shown that men are more likely to suffer from motor symptoms such as tremors and stiffness, while women are more likely to be affected by non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. These differences could indicate different biological and hormonal mechanisms that influence the way the disease manifests itself in the two sexes.

Personal observation

In conversations with Parkinson’s patients, I have noticed that men often consider motor symptoms to be their main problem, while women more often report emotional and cognitive symptoms. One male patient described his frustration at having difficulty completing everyday tasks, while a female patient spoke more about her anxiety and mood swings. These differences illustrate that Parkinson’s affects men and women differently and may therefore require different therapeutic approaches.

What these differences mean for treatment

Individualised treatment approaches

As age and gender have a significant impact on Parkinson’s symptoms and disease progression, it is important that doctors and carers develop individualised treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Older patients may need more support in managing non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment and depression, while younger patients may require more focus on motor symptom control and maintaining their quality of life.

Women who develop Parkinson’s during or after menopause may benefit from hormone therapy, although this needs to be further researched. Men who are at higher risk of motor symptoms may need more intensive physical therapies and early drug interventions.

Prevention and early detection

Understanding the role of age and gender in the development of Parkinson’s could also lead to better prevention and early detection strategies. Regular medical examinations and monitoring of early symptoms could help to diagnose the disease earlier, especially in people who are at higher risk due to their age or gender.

Conclusion

Age and gender are two of the most important factors that influence the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Older people are more susceptible to the disease due to the natural loss of dopamine-producing cells, and men have a higher risk than women, which could be due to hormonal, genetic and environmental differences.

These differences require individualised treatment approaches that meet the unique needs of each patient. At the same time, research shows that further investigation is needed to understand the exact mechanisms that influence age and gender in relation to Parkinson’s. With increased knowledge, targeted preventative measures and therapeutic approaches could be developed in the future to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s.