Morten Harket, the lead singer of Norwegian pop group A-ha, has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The 65-year-old 'Take On Me' singer told his biographer Jan Omdahl that the neurological condition has caused vocal issues, creating uncertainty about his creative future. Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition worldwide, affecting around 153,000 people in the UK alone.
Parkinson's disease is caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls movement. Symptoms include uncontrollable tremors, slow movements, and muscle stiffness. The condition is on the rise in the UK and US, thought to be linked to an ageing population, environmental toxins, and lifestyle factors such as smoking. In the UK, approximately 18,000 new diagnoses are made each year in people aged 45 and over.
One of the most well-known signs of Parkinson's is a tremor or shaking, which can appear as a resting tremor (when the body is still) or an action tremor (when holding something). A resting tremor often involves a rolling movement between the thumb and index finger, known as a 'pill rolling rest tremor'. Slowness of movement, or bradykinesia, is another common symptom, leading to short, shuffling steps and difficulties with daily activities such as dressing or paying for items.
Harket underwent surgery in 2024 to help control some symptoms, including tremor. The procedure, deep brain stimulation, involves implanting electrodes in the brain connected to a device similar to a pacemaker in the chest, which sends electrical impulses to stimulate the brain. Despite the challenges, Harket remains determined to work through his condition and plans to release new music, telling fans not to worry and to focus their energy on real problems.
