J. Biden's doctor: the president is not visiting neurologists too often

Biden's doctor denies concerns about neurologist visits to the White House

Following US media reports that a Parkinson's specialist had visited the White House several times, US President Joe Biden's personal physician stated on Monday that the President "has not met with a neurologist except during his annual physical".

A letter published on Monday by Biden's physician, Kevin O'Connor, said that Dr. Cannard, a neurology specialist, had "examined President Biden at each of his annual physical examinations."

"President Biden has not seen a neurologist except for his annual physical," it added.

The doctor has been seeing patients at the White House for several years

According to the doctor, Dr Cannard has been seeing patients at the White House for several years and was chosen "not because he is a specialist in movement disorders, but because he is a highly qualified and highly regarded neurologist".

The statement by Biden's physician followed a heated debate between journalists and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a press conference.

"The New York Times reported, based on official visitor logs, that Dr Cannard had visited the White House eight times since last summer. Jean-Pierre refused to answer questions as to why Cannard had been a regular visitor to the White House over the past few months.

According to O'Connor, Cannard's neurological examination results have been made public on all occasions, most recently at the end of February. The published health report said there were no indications of a possible stroke or Parkinson's disease, and the President did not experience "any tremors, either at rest or in an active state", according to a letter from the President's doctor.

Biden, 81, is increasingly being asked questions about his mental state after a televised debate with Republican rival Donald Trump

In the US, there is a debate about whether Biden's age makes him a suitable candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in the November elections. Biden dismisses all doubts and refuses to take a cognitive health test to assess his mental capacity.

The action taken by the White House is unusual and indicates increasing pressure. The letter was likely published in order to dispel rumors that the President might be suffering from Parkinson's disease. Jean-Pierre said at a press conference that he is not being treated for this disease.