Young Onset Parkinson's Disease Subtypes and Pathogenic Mechanisms

With the present project the investigators propose to study clinical and biological data (from peripheral blood and skin punch biopsy) in subjects with Young and Late Onset Parkinson's disease as well as non-affected subjects (controls) to identify characteristic biological traits for each for this groups.

For each participant, the investigators will collect information about demographic data, clinical data related to the symptoms of Parkinson's disease through standard questionnaire, a clinical exam, and standard interview. A blood sample (from a peripheral vein) and skin punch biopsy will be collected to study genetic and biological markers of the disease. The study duration for each participant is of one in-person visit at the study center.

In a subgroup of subjects, biological data from the lumbar puncture will be collected and analyzed as well.

Inclusion criteria

YOPD cohort:

• Male or female 18 years or older (inclusive) of any race and ethnicity
• Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) confirmed by a movement disorder specialist and with an age of onset of less than or equal to the age of 50 years old
• Willingness to undergo a skin punch biopsy

LOPD cohort:

• Male or female 18 years or older (inclusive) of any race and ethnicity
• Diagnosis of PD confirmed by a movement disorder specialist and with an age of onset after the age of 50 years

Healthy Control cohort:

• Male or female 18 years or older (inclusive) of any race and ethnicity
• Never been diagnosed with PD as reported by medical history and as assessed by study PI

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism (i.e. progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy) or secondary parkinsonism (i.e. normal pressure hydrocephalus, drug-induced parkinsonism).
• Clinical history of autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disorder or exposure to chronic immunosuppressant or immunomodulatory medications.
• Pregnancy
• Dermatological conditions that would prevent performing skin punch biopsies