CNN’s chief medical expert Dr. Sanjay Gupta has joined the chorus of voters who want President Joe Biden to undergo a rigorous cognitive test to determine his mental fitness for the job.
Dr Gupta said aspects of the 81-year-old’s disastrous performance in last week’s debate with Donald Trump were key signals that he should be tested for signs of cognitive decline, which can be a precursor to dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, noted that the President’s speech was choppy, his speech was slurred, he suddenly lost concentration, he walked stiffly and his face lacked animation.
This prompted a flood of messages from fellow neurologists saying that Biden “should be encouraged to undergo detailed testing for cognitive and movement disorders, and that the results should be made public.”
The calls from Dr. Gupta, whose network is a staunch Biden supporter, show that a growing number of his ardent supporters are losing their support for the party’s nomination.
President Joe Biden’s unsteady performance during Thursday’s debate has raised concerns in many Democratic circles, while the White House continues to insist that a cognitive test is not necessary
CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, noted that Biden’s disoriented, sudden loss of focus, stiff gait and lack of facial animation warranted rigorous cognitive testing and public release of the results.
According to Gupta and numerous Democrats in Congress, Biden had a rough night from the start.
Doctor Gupta said: ‘When the 46th President of the United States stepped onto the debate stage a week ago, it was clear from his first answer that this would not be the performance he had hoped for.’
After his poor performance, Biden gave a pre-recorded speech at a rally of his supporters in North Carolina.
He said that he can no longer debate as well as he was when he was younger, and that he can no longer walk as well, but that he is still a more reliable candidate than the former president.
Still, the White House has not put President Biden on stage without an autocue since then, and voters will be closely watching Friday’s televised interview with TV host George Stephanopoulos.
Mr. Biden has a number of 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 indicating an increased risk of dementia in later life.
Mr. Biden has also been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often very fast heart rhythm. Numerous observational studies have shown a 13 percent larger risk of dementia associated with atrial fibrillation.
He also suffers from obstructive sleep apnea and wears a ventilator, a CPAP machine, while he sleeps to keep his airways open and prevent him from getting sleepy during the day.
Oxygen deficiency due to OSA is also associated with an increased risk of dementia, especially for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
While the White House press corps has done everything it can to dispel doubts about his mental capacity to serve another four years, Dr. Gupta argued that assurances from President Biden’s inner circle are not enough.
He said signs of cognitive decline are to be expected as a person ages, “particularly in changeable skills such as processing speed, attention span and memory.”
This is normal and expected and does not necessarily interfere with one’s ability to do their job.
‘But for a minority of us, the decline is much greater and can lead to dementia.
“Think of it as the difference between forgetting where you put your keys and not knowing what your keys are for.”
The latest update on the president’s health came in februaryAccording to Dr. Kevin C. O’Connor, the president’s physician, Biden is feeling well and this year’s medical exam has not revealed any new problems.
“He remains fit for duty and is fully carrying out all his responsibilities without any exemption or accommodation.”
There was no discussion of cognitive testing, but the White House said a neurologist was among about two dozen doctors who spoke about Biden’s health.
More than 70 percent of likely voters believe President Joe Biden should take a cognitive test, an exclusive DailyMail.com poll conducted after the debate found
The president reportedly had a cold and was suffering from jet lag on the night of the debate. After the debate, he was seen by a doctor for a “brief examination.”
But a “brief checkup” is not a physical, Dr. Gupta argued. And when White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was peppered with questions about his mental state, she said his medical team did not consider cognitive testing “essential.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said MSNBC 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 perfectly legitimate — from both candidates.
“Both candidates, no matter what test you give them, in terms of their mental acuity and their health, are both guilty.”
And a recent DailyMail.com poll found that seven in 10 respondents said the president should take a cognitive test
Meanwhile, Trump has said he has taken an Alzheimer’s screening test called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, or MoCA. It’s a rapid, 10- to 15-minute screening tool used by health care professionals to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer’s.
It assesses several cognitive domains, including memory, attention, language, visual-spatial skills, and executive functions, through tasks such as drawing, naming, word recall, and performing calculations.
However, this is not the test Gupta said Biden should take, but it could serve as an “initial screening tool for cognitive decline.”
“That’s exactly why detailed testing is important. It can help determine whether there’s a simpler explanation for the symptoms you’re showing or whether something more concerning is going on.”
“We often hear that observing a candidate on the campaign trail is the best way to assess the individual’s physical and cognitive health. In 2020, Biden said he was “constantly challenged” by the work of the presidential campaign. “All you have to do is watch me,” he said then.
Dr Gupta added: ‘The country is now watching and that assessment raises concerns – and a need for transparent testing.’