US officials are working to quash rumours that President Joe Biden is being treated for Parkinson’s disease, reports Reuters – citing a letter from the White House doctor, who denied Biden has seen a neurologist outside of his annual physicals.
The letter was in response to reporting that revealed a visitor log book showed that neurologist and movement disorders specialist Dr Kevin Cannard, from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, had visited the White House at least eight times from August through March.
However, White House doctor Kevin O’Connor said that Cannard’s visits to the official presidential residence were not to treat 81-year-old Biden – who often appears frail in public. Rather, the specialist ran neurological clinics to support active duty military personnel assigned to help with White House operations.
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Cannard has co-authored research on treatment for early Parkinson’s disease at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and reportedly treated Biden for migraines in 2016, when Biden was vice president to Barack Obama.
Concerns over Biden’s health and mental acuity have spiralled since his disastrous performance at the June 27 debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump. The president appeared to lose his train of thought a number of times during the debate, fueling calls for Biden not to run for re-election.
Biden and his team have repeatedly refuted claims he is no longer up to US’ top job, and insist he’s still set to appear on the ballot in November’s election.
