CNN’s chief medical expert Dr Sanjay Gupta has joined the chorus of voters who want President Joe Biden to undergo rigorous cognitive testing to determine his mental fitness for the job.
Dr Gupta argued that aspects of the 81-year-old’s disastrous showing at last week’s debate against Donald Trump were significant signals that he needs to be tested for signs of cognitive decline, which can be a precursor for dementia or Parkinson’s.
Dr Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, noted the President’s halting speech, confused rambling, sudden loss of concentration, stiff gait, and lack of facial animation.
It caused a flurry of messages from fellow neurologists who said that Mr Biden ‘should be encouraged to undergo detailed cognitive and movement disorder testing, and those results should be made available to the public.’
The calls from Dr Gupta, whose network has been an ardent supporter of Biden, shows how a growing number of his ardent supporters are losing steam for the party’s nominee.
President Joe Biden’s unsteady performance at the debate last Thursday has prompted concerns in many Democrat circles. The White House, meanwhile, maintains that a cognitive test is not necessary
CNN’s Dr Sanjay Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, noted Mr Biden’s rambling, sudden loss of concentration, stiff gait, and lack of facial animation as grounds for administering rigorous cognitive tests and making the results public
Mr Biden had a rough night from the start, according to Gupta and myriad Democrats in Congress.
Dr Gupta said: ‘When the 46th President of the United States took the debate stage a week ago, it became apparent, even from his first answer, that this would not be the performance he hoped for.’
Following his poor showing, Mr Biden gave a scripted speech at a rally of supporters in North Carolina.
In it, he said he no longer debates as well as he did when he was younger, nor does he walk as well, but he is still a more trustworthy candidate than the former President.
Still, the White House has not put President Biden on center stage without a teleprompter since then, and voters will be closely watching the televised interview with TV anchor George Stephanopoulos on Friday.
Mr Biden has some risk factors for dementia.
He underwent two surgeries for aneurysms, including one that ruptured in 1988, a condition that can cause bleeding in the brain. There is some evidence pointing to an increased risk of dementia later in life.
Mr Biden has also been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm. Numerous observational studies have found a 13 percent greater risk of dementia linked to AFib.
He also has obstructive sleep apnea and wears a breathing device known as a CPAP machine while he sleeps to keep his airways open and prevent daytime sleepiness.
Oxygen deprivation as a result of OSA has also been associated with a higher dementia risk, particular for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
While the White House press office has worked to assuage doubts about his mental capacity to stay in the job another four years, Dr Gupta argued that assurances from President Biden’s inner circle are not enough.
He said it’s expected to see signs of cognitive decline as a person ages, ‘especially fluid abilities like processing speed, attention span and memory.
This is normal and expected and doesn’t necessarily stand in the way of someone’s ability to do their job.
‘But for a minority of us, that decline is steeper and can lead to dementia.
‘Think of this as the difference between forgetting where you put your keys and not understanding what your keys are for.’
The last update about the President’s health came in February. Dr Kevin C. O’Connor, the President’s physician, said that Mr Biden feels well and that this year’s physical identified no new concerns.
‘He continues to be fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.’
There was no mention of cognitive testing, though the White House said that a neurologist was among the 20 or so doctors who weighed in on Mr Biden’s health status.
Over 70 percent of likely voters believe President Joe Biden should get a cognitive test, an exclusive DailyMail.com poll conducted after the debate found
The President was said to have a cold on the night of the debate, as well as jetlag, and was seen for a ‘brief check’ by a doctor afterward.
But a ‘brief check’ is not a physical, Dr Gupta argued. And when the White House press corps peppered press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre with questions regarding his mental state, she said that his medical team deemed cognitive testing ‘not necessary.’
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, told MSNBC on Tuesday that American voters deserve more information.
Mrs Pelosi said: ‘I think it’s a legitimate question to say, is this an episode, or is this a condition? And so when people ask that question, it’s completely legitimate — of both candidates.
‘Both candidates owe whatever test you want to put them to, in terms of their mental acuity and their health — both of them.’
And a DailyMail.com poll recently found seven out of 10 respondents said that the president should take a cognitive test
Mr Trump, meanwhile, has said he underwent an Alzheimer’s screening test called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, or MoCA. It is a quick, 10 to 15-minute screening tool used by healthcare professionals to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer’s disease.
It evaluates various cognitive domains, including memory, attention, language, visuospatial skills, and executive functions, through tasks like drawing, naming, recalling words, and performing calculations
However, this is not the testing Mr Gupta said Mr Biden should receive, but it could serve as an ‘initial screening tool for cognitive decline.’
‘That is precisely why detailed testing is important. It can help determine whether there is a simpler explanation for the symptoms displayed or if there is something more concerning.’
‘We often hear that observing a candidate on the campaign trail is the best assessment of the individual’s physical and cognitive health. Back in 2020, Biden said he was “constantly tested” by the work of running for president. “All you’ve got to do is watch me,” he said then.’
Dr Gupta added: ‘The country is watching now, and that assessment gives cause for concern — and a need for transparent testing.’
