Top neurologist makes bombshell claim that Biden, 81, 'definitely' has Parkinson's disease and reveals the common symptoms he is displaying: 'I could have diagnosed him from across the mall'
- Speculation about the president has run rampant after he looked weak at debate
- Karine Jean-Pierre denies Biden has had extra screenings for Parkinson's Disease
- Dr. Tom Pitts speaks out about what he thinks of Biden's health
A leading neurologist said it's a 'fact' that President Biden suffers from a degenerative brain condition - claiming he could 'diagnose him from across the mall.'
Dr. Tom Pitts, a New York-based specialist, appeared on NBC to give his devastating take on the president's neurological health in the wake of several notable gaffes, culminating in a disastrous debate performance in June.
Biden, 81, stumbled in answering questions, trailing off and appearing unfocused. That came after years of allegations of ill-health, including being forgetful and falling over amid reports his close team keeps his health issues out of public view.
'His motor symptoms are degenerating,' Pitts said. 'He has Parkinsonisms. That is a fact. He has degeneration of the brain. Show me the MRI. Show me he doesn't. Put your money where your mouth is. He definitely has it.'
Parkinsonisms is an umbrella term for degenerative brain conditions that include Parkinson's.
A leading neurologist is suggesting Joe Biden's ailing health may be worse than already feared
Jean-Pierre confirmed Biden had been examined three times by a neurologist but refused to say why a specialist visited the White House eight times in eight months, citing privacy and security concerns.
Pitts, a Columbia University graduate and a New York-based specialist board certified four times over, was asked his thoughts on the president's condition.
On his various online profiles, Pitts does not mention any expertise in Parkinson's . He describes his expertise on LinkedIn as being in headaches, multiple sclerosis and other brain-related conditions, but not Parkinson's.
He regularly speaks to the media about health issues are are in the news, including singer Celine Dion's battle with stiff-person syndrome and the possible neurological impact of Covid-19.
He made the bombshell claim the Biden 'definitely' has Parkinson's and sees people like him '20 times a day' working in his clinic, even stating that watching the president, he could have 'diagnosed him from across the mall'.
'It's ironic because he has just this classic features of neurodegeneration: word-finding difficulties - and that's not just 'Oh, I couldn't find the right word' - that's from degeneration of the word retrieval area.'
Pitts has not personally ever examined Biden but said that what he's seen at the debate is very common among people with this condition.
'You notice when he turns it's kind of end-block turning; it's not a quick turn,' Pitts told NBC News.
'That's one of the hallmarks of Parkinson's; it's rigidity and bradykinesia, slow movement, And he has that hallmark, especially with the low voice they said was a cold; hypophonia, small monotone voice like this over time is a hallmark of Parkinsonism. I could have diagnosed him from across the mall.'
He also made it clear that Biden's historic struggles overcoming a stutter as a young man have absolutely nothing to do with what Pitts believes he's dealing with now.
'This is not a palatal issue or a speech discrepancy,' he said. 'Plus the rigidity, monotone voice.'
Pitts, who says he's a Democrat, sais the condition is easy to diagnose even from afar.
'His motor symptoms are degenerating,' Pitts said bluntly. 'He has Parkinsonisms. That is a fact.'
Now, as White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denies Biden has been screened for Parkinson's Disease outside his regular checkups , Dr. Tom Pitts is speaking out
He made the bombshell claim the Biden 'definitely' has Parkinson's and sees people like him '20 times a day' working in his clinic, even stating that watching the president, he could have 'diagnosed him from across the mall'
DailyMail.com reached out the White House for comment. They responded with a screenshot of the neurology section from Biden's February health summary following his annual checkup.
The White House is now doing damage control following reports Joe Biden's personal physician met with a top neurologist and Parkinson's specialist at the White House.
There's been frenzied speculation over Biden's ailing health, which has been in question since his disastrous first debate with Donald Trump, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre adding fuel Monday by saying the president has seen a neurologist three times.
Kevin Cannard is a movement disorder specialist at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland.
On Monday, O'Connor released a letter with the permission of both Biden and Cannard and confirmed that Cannard had been the neurologist who evaluated the president at each of his three physicals since he took office.
But most of Cannard's visits to the White House were pursuant to his role as a specialist attached to the White House Medical Unit, treating patients for a wide array of neurological issues at the White House for a dozen years, O'Connor said.
Biden is battling criticism from some Democrats that he lacks the mental acuity to stand as their nominee against Trump in the Nov. 5 presidential election.
The disclosure comes amid mounting scrutiny over the president's mental state following his car crash debate against rival Donald Trump.
DailyMail.com reached out the White House for comment. They responded with a screenshot of the neurology section from Biden's February health summary following his annual checkup
Biden, 81, has sought to quash rumors he is unfit to lead and still asserts he will run in the November election, but has refused to state whether he is undergoing regular, official cognitive tests.
'Look, I have a cognitive test every single day,' Biden said when asked by ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Friday, as he referred to the tasks he faces daily in a rigorous job.
'Every day, I have that test. Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I'm running the world.'
Following the debate, the White House said Biden had done a verbal 'check-in' with his doctor.
But questions over his competency remain, especially after his first sit-down interview since the disastrous June 27 debate did little to assuage fears.
Several Democrats had called for Biden to quit the race following the debate and they reiterated this wish after yesterday's ABC interview.
