Diagnosis before age 50, tailored approaches, and technological innovation: Italy leads research on young-onset Parkinson’s.
When the body speaks softly: listening is the first step toward self-care
Parkinson’s disease affects millions of people around the world and, contrary to popular belief, it does not only affect the elderly.
An increasing number of patients—about 10%—receive their diagnosis before age 50, between 21 and 45, which is why it is referred to as young-onset Parkinson’s. In these cases, the earliest symptoms may appear subtly: slower movements, muscle stiffness, and loss of smell. But also fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood changes that are often ignored or mistaken for stress.
This is why recognizing them early and adopting personalized therapeutic strategies is becoming increasingly crucial—even to improve quality of life from the earliest stages of the disease.
Today, Italian research is making significant progress in exactly this direction.
A genetic study to better understand young-onset Parkinson’s
At the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, a scientific study has been launched to better understand young-onset Parkinson’s by identifying genetic and molecular correlations that might explain the early onset of the disease.
The project, led by Prof. Gianni Pezzoli—an authoritative neurologist in the Parkinson’s field and president of the Pezzoli Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease—involves the Neurology Division and Neuroscience Research Unit team. The goal is to collect clinical and genetic data from patients diagnosed before age 50 in order to define specific biological profiles that can guide more effective, personalized treatments.
Researchers have already identified several molecular markers that may explain the early onset of Parkinson’s and could, in the future, pave the way for targeted therapies. It is an important step toward increasingly personalized medicine.
As explained by Dr. Arianna Bellucci, head of the Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology Unit, “the study will allow the development of therapeutic strategies tailored to the biological characteristics of each patient.”
Immersive technologies and integrated treatments: introducing StepUp
Meanwhile, research is also advancing innovatively in Bologna. The European project StepUp, coordinated by the Bologna Local Health Authority and the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Ferrara and developed in collaboration with international partners, combines rehabilitative treatments and cutting-edge technology to address motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.
The ambitious goal of the project is to integrate functional motor training with augmented reality, offering an engaging, effective therapeutic experience tailored to individual needs.
As neurologist Maria Carla Modugno explains, the heart of the project is a functional and motivational approach that turns physical activity into an integral part of therapy.
For younger patients, living with Parkinson’s in the midst of their professional and family lives, tools like these can make a real difference: they train the body with a multidimensional approach—from walking and balance to emotional and motivational support throughout the rehabilitation journey.
The study is co-funded by the European Commission and involves top-tier partners in neurology, technology, and rehabilitation to explore new non-pharmacological treatment methods.
When collaboration makes the difference
These two studies highlight an Italy committed to multidisciplinary collaboration in research. Geneticists, neurologists, biomedical engineers, therapists, and psychologists are working together with a 360-degree perspective.
This integrated approach is especially valuable in cases of young-onset Parkinson’s, where the disease emerges during a life phase full of plans and responsibilities.
It’s not just about finding treatments—it’s about building sustainable life paths, capable of offering long-term perspective and hope.
Gondola AMPS: a step toward a more stable life
Because movement is one of the most affected aspects in Parkinson’s—both in older adults and younger patients—Gondola AMPS was developed, a technology also advanced thanks to contributions from Italian professionals.
It is a targeted, painless, and non-invasive sensory stimulation designed to improve walking in patients with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, and stroke. In just a few minutes and from home, Gondola acts directly on the feet, stimulating receptors involved in movement and posture perception. This helps reactivate motor circuits, improving balance and fluidity of movement.
For those living with Parkinson’s—including young-onset—regaining the freedom to walk means reconnecting with life, going out again, feeling part of the world. And when technology puts the individual at its center, it truly becomes an ally of freedom.
Sources:
Young-onset Parkinson’s disease.
https://www.orpha.net/it/disease/detail/2828
Parkinson’s disease: researchers at San Raffaele Hospital and Vita-Salute University create a new experimental model for early-onset Parkinson’s. October 2024
https://www.hsr.it/news/2024/ottobre/nuovo-modello-sperimentale-malattia-parkinson
Pezzoli Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.
https://www.parkinson.it/fondazione-pezzoli.html
“Steps to reduce the burden of Parkinson’s Disease”: a new international research project integrating functional treatment and augmented reality. March 2025
https://www.ausl.bologna.it/news/archivio-2025-1/malattia-parkinson-progetto-ricerca-internazionale-realta-aumentata-stepup-2025
My name is Giorgia, I’m 25 years old, and this is my story. Young Parkinson’s, 2022.
https://www.parkinsongiovani.com/condividere/mi-chiamo-giorgia-ho-25-anni-e-questa-e-la-mia-storia
