Latest news with #Aha
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
A-ha singer Morten Harket announces Parkinson's disease diagnosis
A-ha's lead singer Morten Harket has announced his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease. The frontman of the Norwegian synth-pop group, known for hits including Take On Me and You Are The One, said he is having issues with his voice due to the condition, which causes parts of the brain to become progressively damaged over many years. Advertisement His bandmate Magne Furuholmen has said all future A-ha-related activities 'will of course be tuned to suit Morten's situation'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by a-ha (@officialaha) Speaking to a biographer for an article on the A-ha website, Harket, 65, said: 'I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis. With time I've taken to heart my 94-year-old father's attitude to the way the organism gradually surrenders: 'I use whatever works'.' He continued: 'Acknowledging the diagnosis wasn't a problem for me; it's my need for peace and quiet to work that has been stopping me. 'I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline. Advertisement 'It's a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects. 'There's so much to weigh up when you're emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general.' Harket underwent a neurosurgical procedure in which electrodes were implanted deep inside the left side of his brain in June 2024 and had a similar procedure on the right side of his brain in December 2024, according to the website article. Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Pal Waaktaar of A-ha during a signing session at HMV Oxford Street, London (Yui Mok/PA) These electrodes are connected to a small pacemaker-like device placed under the skin of the upper chest that sends electrical impulses through the electrodes into the brain and this method of treatment is called deep brain stimulation (DBS). Advertisement There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease but there are treatments like physiotherapy and medication, according to the NHS website. The main symptoms are tremors, slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles, and Harket also said the condition has affected his voice. 'The problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future,' he said. Asked if he can sing at the moment, he said: 'I don't really know. I don't feel like singing, and for me that's a sign. Advertisement 'I'm broadminded in terms of what I think works; I don't expect to be able to achieve full technical control. The question is whether I can express myself with my voice. 'As things stand now, that's out of the question. But I don't know whether I'll be able to manage it at some point in the future.' He added: 'For a few years now I've been working on songs that I've got great belief in, and I feel the lyrics, especially, have something of a different aspect of me in them. 'I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish them for release. Time will tell if they make it. Advertisement 'I really like the idea of just going for it, as a Parkinson's patient and an artist, with something completely outside the box. It's all up to me, I just have to get this out of the way first.' A-ha formed in Oslo in 1982, comprised of guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, keyboardist Furuholmen and lead singer Harket. The band has had nine top 10 singles in the UK chart, including chart-topping track The Sun Always Shines On TV, and seven top 10 albums. Furuholmen said in an Instagram post on Wednesday: 'It is a day of sad news in a-ha world. Having known about Morten's diagnosis for some time does not take the force out of the blow, nor diminish the impact it has had, and will continue have, on us – as people and as a band. Morten Harket on stage at the Brit Awards 2006 (Yui Mok/PA) 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with Morten and his family at a difficult time adjusting to the changes that this condition has brought into their lives. 'As the news brings sadness, it is worth to remember through the hurt that there is also a lot of gratitude: for all the amazing memories, for how our combined creative efforts as a band have been so generously embraced by the world, and for how lucky we are that people continue to find meaning, hope and joy in our shared musical legacy. 'All future a-ha-related activities will of course be tuned to suit Morten's situation, but together we will work to try and find ways to give you the best of ourselves. Thank you everyone for all your support, your kind words, and consideration.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
A-ha frontman Morten Harket, 65, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and doesn't know if he can sing anymore as band writes 'he has been battling his own body' in recent years
A-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed he has Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a progressive brain disorder caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. In a statement on the band's website, Morten, 65, said he had undergone several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease, but admitted he had been 'battling his own body' in recent years. It read: 'This isn't the sort of news anyone wants to deliver to the world, but here it is: Morten has Parkinson's disease.' Morten also said he had initially kept the degenerative condition private but has now decided to tell fans and didn't know if he could sing or even perform again. He said: 'I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis. With time I've taken to heart my 94-year-old father's attitude to the way the organism gradually surrenders: "I use whatever works" From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Part of me wanted to reveal it. Like I said, acknowledging the diagnosis wasn't a problem for me; it's my need for peace and quiet to work that has been stopping me. 'I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline. 'It's a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects. 'There's so much to weigh up when you're emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general.' He told the band's biographer Jan Omdahl that he has been making the most of advanced technology in treating the disease and has been using a method called deep brain stimulation. His neurologist in Norway is Dr Christina Sundal at NeuroClinic Norway, and she was previously a research fellow with the Parkinson's team at the Mayo Clinic. He revealed he underwent a neurosurgical procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) in June 2024 in which electrodes were implanted into the left side of his brain and he responded well and many of his physical symptoms practically vanished. In December 2024 he underwent a similar procedure on the right side of his brain, which was also successful. His voice has changed with Parkinson's and told Jan: The problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future.' He said: 'I don't really know [if I can sing anymore]. I don't feel like singing, and for me that's a sign. I'm broadminded in terms of what I think works; I don't expect to be able to achieve full technical control. 'The question is whether I can express myself with my voice. As things stand now, that's out of the question. But I don't know whether I'll be able to manage it at some point in the future.' Morten urged fans not to worry, telling them he is now 'going to listen to the professionals'. 'Spend your effort addressing real problems,' he said, 'and know that I am being taken care of. 'Be good servants to nature, the very basis of our existence, and care for the environment while it is still possible to do so. 'Don't worry about me. Find out who you want to be - a process than can be new each and every day.' The singer too revealed that he has been writing lyrics since his diagnosis, but that he's 'not sure' if he'll be able to finish and release them. Parkinson's can affect those diagnosed both physically and mentally. It primarily causes trouble to the brain, parts of which become progressively damaged over years with the disease. It usually affects those over 50, with a number of celebrities ultimately suffering with the disease in the past. Ozzy Osborne, Neil Diamond and Billy Connolly are all currently living with Parkinson's while Muhammad Ali was famously diagnosed just three years after the end of his illustrious boxing career. Doctors said of the heavyweight's illness following his 2016 death: 'Muhammad Ali's disease course, from his late 30s until his death at age 74 years, was chronic and progressive. 'He manifested fatigue hypophonia, bradykinesia, and a masked face, as well as many of the visible motor symptoms of Parkinons's disease.' As evidenced in the Ali case, the disease can in rare cases affect those under the age of 40. Famous US actor Michael J. Fox, 63, was diagnosed at just 29 years old in 1991. The Back To The Future star has spent much of the last 25 years trying to advance scientific research into the disease with his charity, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album Hunting High and Low which yielded several hits such as Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines on TV. Take On Me was recently featured in the second season of HBO's hit series The Last of Us when the main character Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, performed an acoustic version of the song. While world-renowned for their success in the 1980s, A-ha continued to release music throughout the 2000s with their latest work including albums such as Memorial Beach, Lifelines and Cast in Steel. Morten has six children, three with his former wife Camilla Malmquist Harket, a daughter with former girlfriend Anne Mette Undlien and another daughter with current partner Inez Andersson.
CBC
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
A-ha singer Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
Morten Harket, the lead singer of Norwegian band A-ha, whose Take On Me track remains one of the most popular songs from the 1980s, said on Wednesday that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In a statement on the band's website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket, 65, said he had undergone several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease. Parkinson's causes deterioration in the brain's nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become progressively worse over time. The disease can be treated with surgery and medication, but there is no cure. Harket said he last year underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain and that this had reduced the symptoms. Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again. "I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis," he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing side effects of the treatment. "I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline," Harket said. Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, a-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album Hunting High and Low which yielded several hits such as Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines on TV.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Early warning signs of Parkinson's disease no one should ignore - as 80s pop legend shocks fans with diagnosis
A-ha frontman Morten Harket has announced that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, as he comes to terms with the uncertainty of his artistic future. The lead-singer of the Norwegian pop group, 65, said he had been experiencing vocal issues due to the neurological condition. 'The problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future. 'I don't feel like singing, and for me that's a sign,' he said in an interview with biographer Jan Omdahl posted to the band's website. Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, affecting around 153,000 people in the UK alone. There is no current cure for the disease. Here, MailOnline reveals some of the warning signs of the crippling disease, which Harket is determined to work through, ahead of the release of new music. Parkinson's is caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, which controls movement. The condition is on the rise in the UK and the US, which is thought to be caused by a rapidly aging population, environmental toxins and lifestyle choices such as smoking. In the UK, there are about 18,000 new diagnoses every year in people 45 and older. However, knowing the symptoms of Parkinson's can lead to earlier diagnosis and better access to treatments that significantly improve a sufferer's quality of life. Harket said: 'I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline. It's a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects. 'There's so much to weigh up when you're emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general,' the singer added. 'I really like the idea of just going for it, as a Parkinson's patient and an artist, with something completely outside the box. It's all up to me, I just have to get this out of the way first.' He told his fans not to worry about him and instead to 'spend [their] energy and effort addressing real problems, and know that [he is] being taken care of'. Tremors A tremor or shaking is one of the most well-known signs of Parkinson's, alongside slowness of movement and stiffness, and can be one of the first symptoms to appear. Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder in which the brain can't produce enough dopamine—a neurotransmitter that controls movement. A lack of dopamine leads to issues like tremors, falls and mobility issues. According to Parkinson's UK, a tremor caused by Parkinson's can appear in two ways, known as a resting tremor and an action tremor. The most common tremor happens when the body is still and relaxed and will trigger a rolling movement between the thumb and index finger—known as a 'pill rolling rest tremor'. An action tremor however is most noticeable when a sufferer is holding something, and their hand begins to shake. Although there is no cure for tremors, there are ways of managing the symptom, including physiotherapy—such as squeezing a ball—medication, stress relief and deep brain simulation. In 2024, Harket underwent surgery to try and control some of the symptoms of Parkinson's, including tremor. The procedure involves implanting electrodes into the brain, which connect to a small device—similar to a pacemaker—placed into the chest that stimulates the brain by sending electrical impulses through the electrodes. Slow movements Slowness of movement and speed—medically known as bradykinesia—is another common symptom of Parkinson's and involves walking with short, shuffling steps. This can affect every aspect of a patient's life, from daily activities such as paying for items, walking to the bus and getting dressed. It can also lead to smaller movements—such as not smiling as widely as normal, difficulties swallowing and a lack of coordination. Bradykinesia is also caused by reduced dopamine levels in the brain, which impacts the way the muscles work. According to Parkinson's Foundation, a person must have bradykinesia plus either a tremor or rigidity for a Parkinson's diagnosis to be considered. Muscle stiffness Rigidity is another symptom of Parkinson's that can prevent the muscles from stretching and relaxing properly, which can cause pain and muscle cramps as well as problems with balance. Tell-tale signs of this symptom include difficulty swinging the arms—due to the muscles being too tight—getting out of chairs and turning over in bed. Problems with breathing and speaking clearly can also be a sign of the incurable disease, as rigidity spreads to the chest muscles and makes them weak. This can lead to breathing issues and other respiratory problems like chest infections. Rigidity can also stop your facial muscles working properly, limiting your range of facial expressions. Medically known as hypomimia, this can make it look like a patient has a blank expression, even when they are experiencing strong emotions. However, according to Parkinson's UK, people with Parkinson's may also experience apathy and problems with motivation meaning they may not react to emotions in the same way they used to. Loss of smell Up to 95 per cent of Parkinson's sufferers experience a loss or reduction in their sense of smell—known as anosmia. And symptoms can start years before any other symptoms develop, says Parkinson's UK. But loss of smell can affect people in different ways, with some losing or gaining weight as they can no longer smell food, while it may hit others' mood. For some, it can be subtle and only dampen their smell, while others may struggle to smell at all. It can also lead to safety concerns, with sufferers struggling to smell burning, for example. Research suggests that the symptoms is caused by part of the brain responsible for processing smells—known as the olfactory bulb— being smaller in some people who have the disease. Studies have also found that in Parkinson's patients, there is a build-up of alpha-synuclein — a protein found in dopamine-producing cells—in this part of the brain. In Parkinson's patients, the proteins become tangled and form clumps, which experts believe may spread the disease throughout the brain. Bladder and bowel problems Getting up in the night to go to the toilet can plague many people as they age. But it is also another early sign of the Parkinson's. Going to the bathroom more than once or twice a night—medically known as nocturia— could be a sign of an overactive bladder, which has been linked with the disease. The feeling of needing to urinate immediately, at times without warning, and struggling to 'hold on', may also be a symptom. Constipation is also a symptom of the disease, as slowness of movement and rigidity —tell-tale signs of the condition—can affect the muscles in the bowel wall, meaning that waste products are not moved along in the bowel. Eating problems as a result of difficulty with chewing and swallowing food, can also cause constipation, as fibre is needed to help keep the stool soft and easy to pass. Depression and anxiety Feelings of extreme sadness for a long period of time could be a sign of depression, which is common in people with Parkinson's, though it is not yet fully understood why. In some cases, these feelings occur months before other symptoms are revealed. Research suggests that a lack of dopamine, a 'feel-good' hormone, can be a trigger for depression, worry and anxiety. Additionally, some patients may find they are not able to socialise as much as they used to, leading to loneliness and isolation, increasing the risk of depression. But, the charity also notes that being diagnosed with Parkinson's itself can be very stressful, which can cause these feeling to arise.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
A-ha frontman Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
A-ha lead singer Morten Harket has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The news was announced on Wednesday on the Norwegian band's official website, written by their biographer Jan Omdahl. In the statement, it was revealed Harket, 65, had already undergone several rounds of brain surgery and had "no problem accepting the diagnosis". "With time, I've taken to heart my 94-year-old father's attitude to the way the organism gradually surrenders," he said. "I use whatever works." His diagnosis had until now, remained strictly private, but for a few people in his immediate circle. When asked why he held off making an announcement, Harket replied it was so he could focus on the "delicate balancing act" of managing his symptoms with medication and advanced neurological treatment. While Harket has been able to manage the condition for now, it has been affecting his voice, raising uncertainty for his creative future. When biographer Omdahl asked if Harket thinks if he could sing right now, his response was: "I don't really know. "I don't feel like singing, and for me that's a sign. "I don't expect to be able to achieve full technical control. "The question is whether I can express myself with my voice. As things stand now, that's out of the question." While Parkinson's can be treated with surgery and medication, there is no current cure. In June 2024, the singer successfully underwent a neurological procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) in which electrodes were implanted in the left side of his brain, connected to a pace-maker like device. Six months later, he had the same procedure on the right side. "I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline," Harket said. When asked what he'd say to A-ha fans now, he replied: "Don't worry about me. "Spend your energy and effort addressing real problems, and know that I am being taken care of." Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, the band are best known for their hits Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines on TV, which featured in their debut album Hunting High and Low. In a post on Instagram, Furuholmen said his thoughts were with his band mate and his family at a "difficult time". "The news brings sadness, but it is worth to remember through the hurt there is also a lot of gratitude," he wrote. "For all the amazing how lucky we are that people continue to find meaning, hope and joy in our shared musical legacy." Other stars including Michael J. Fox, Ozzy Osbourne, Alan Alda and Billy Connolly have all spoken about their experience with the progressive disease. According to Health Direct, Parkinson's disease occurs when the "nerve cells in the brain don't make enough of a body chemical called dopamine, which affects movement and mood". Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the smooth control of muscles and movement, and so typical symptoms can include tremors, stiff and inflexible muscles and slow movement.
