Neurodegenerative Disease — Parkinsonism-Plus in Young Adults: A Clinical Case

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a group of heterogeneous, progressively developing disorders of the nervous system characterized by irreversible neuronal loss. In recent years, an increase in the incidence of these diseases has been observed, which is associated, in particular, with improved diagnostic capabilities, increased life expectancy, heightened attentiveness of healthcare professionals, patient awareness, as well as deterioration of environmental conditions, increased stress levels, and the prevalence of harmful habits (including passive smoking). Each case of a neurodegenerative disease exhibits individual characteristics in clinical course, symptom combinations, and treatment responses; therefore, diagnosis and therapy require active involvement of the patient, their relatives, social environment, and medical personnel. The process of establishing a diagnosis can be prolonged and costly. Timely medical consultation is a crucial factor, as early diagnosis allows for the initiation of specific therapy, slowing disease progression, preventing complications, and maintaining an adequate quality of life for as long as possible. This article presents the clinical case of patient A. (27 years old), with progressive cognitive and emotional-volitional impairments, dysfunction of pelvic organs, and loss of self-care skills. Emotional-volitional disorders represent not only a social problem but also a factor that exacerbates the disease: at early stages, they may be masked by personality traits, fatigue, or exhaustion, while at later stages they become prominent symptoms that are difficult to correct. The case demonstrates the importance of ensuring compliance among relatives, as due to the patient’s low activity and limited capacity, they bear responsibility for adherence to physician recommendations, organization of examinations, and implementation of prescribed therapeutic measures. The article describes the disease progression, the dynamics of clinical manifestations from the first symptoms to the present, and outlines the diagnostic stages and specific aspects of establishing the final diagnosis.

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of the Ural State Medical University, as well as the staff of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation for Adults with Central Nervous System Disorders of the Central City Clinical Hospital No. 3 (Ekaterinburg) for their qualified assistance in collecting anamnesis data and diagnosing.

For citation
Chereshneva AI, Cherepanova DS, Chereshnev KI. Neurodegenerative disease — Parkinsonism-plus in young adults: A clinical case. USMU Medical Bulletin. 2025;10(4):e00194. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.52420/usmumb.10.4.e00194. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/XKOUNO.