Public appearances by President Joe Biden have sparked concerns among medical professionals regarding his cognitive health. Experts have noted worrisome signs, such as perplexing monologues, lapses in focus mid-sentence, hesitant speech, and occasional lack of facial expression [^1^].
Neurologists who observed Biden’s performance shared these concerns with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, suggesting that the president undergo comprehensive cognitive and movement disorder evaluations that should be shared publicly [^1^].
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, believes that Biden’s symptoms are more aligned with vascular dementia, a condition associated with reduced blood flow to the brain. Siegel suggests that Biden’s history of atrial fibrillation and past brain surgeries could be contributing factors [^2^].
Vascular dementia affects cognitive functions such as memory and reasoning due to impaired brain blood flow, often related to conditions like strokes. Dr. Siegel recommends conducting advanced imaging, such as an MRI, to accurately assess Biden’s condition [^2^].
However, the White House press secretary has stated that Biden’s medical team considers cognitive testing unnecessary at present, following a brief medical checkup for a cold [^1^].
The ongoing debate surrounding Biden’s performance highlights the importance of thorough testing to determine the underlying cause of these concerns. Transparent and comprehensive assessments can help differentiate between temporary factors like fatigue or jet lag and more significant underlying issues [^1^].
As the nation awaits the upcoming election, questions regarding Biden’s health and the need for transparent medical disclosures persist. While elected officials, including the president, are entitled to privacy regarding their health, the public’s interest in understanding their physical and cognitive well-being remains significant [^1^].
