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Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has died at age 76 after a battle with a rare form of Parkinson’s disease. The Black Sabbath frontman publicly revealed his PRKN-2 diagnosis, a type of early-onset Parkinson’s, on “Good Morning America” in 2019.
At the time, Osbourne stated, “I’m no good with secrets. I cannot walk around with it anymore, ’cause it’s like, I’m running out of excuses, you know?”
He attributed a “bad fall” and subsequent neck surgery to aggravating his condition and affecting his nerves.
Osbourne’s final performance was a poignant return to his roots, joining Black Sabbath for their “Back to the Beginning” concert in Birmingham, England, just weeks before his passing.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the midbrain’s dopamine production. While dopamine is linked to happiness, it also plays a crucial role in movement and cognitive function.
Dr. Brandon Crawford, a developmental functional neurologist, explained that while genetics can play a role, only 10% to 15% of cases are solely attributed to hereditary factors.
Environmental influences, such as toxins, head trauma, and chronic inflammation, can also contribute to the disease’s development. Common symptoms include tremors, slowed movement, digestive issues, and cognitive decline.
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s, treatments like dopamine agonists can help manage symptoms. Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, described his experience with the disease as marked by periods of good days followed by “really bad days.” In later years, Osbourne explored stem cell therapy, with his daughter Kelly noting “mind-blowing” progress after one treatment.
Experts suggest Osbourne’s rock-and-roll lifestyle may have contributed to his condition. Factors like disrupted sleep patterns, exposure to loud music and heavy metals, and potential head trauma from years of head-banging could have increased his risk.
Dr. Crawford emphasized the detrimental effects of irregular sleep and exposure to artificial light at night on circadian rhythms, potentially increasing the risk of neurological disorders.