Health
Doctors express concern about Biden’s apparent cognitive issues during debate: 'Troubling indicators'
The first presidential debate of 2024 left many Americans and even some traditional Democratic allies wondering about President Biden’s mental fitness for office based on what appeared to be his unclear train of thought at times and his raspy voice on Thursday night.
The White House responded to these concerns, claiming that the president, who is 81, was fighting a cold, but some doctors said they perceive the health issues go beyond the sniffles — with one noting that “it is an issue of fitness, not of age.”
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon who specializes in cognitive function, told Fox News Digital on Friday about his concerns.
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“President Biden’s performance in [Thursday] night’s debate reignited longstanding discussions about his cognitive abilities and his overall leadership capacity,” Osborn told Fox News Digital.
“Throughout the evening, Biden struggled to maintain a coherent narrative, often losing his train of thought mid-sentence, and providing vague, rambling and undecipherable answers to highly critical questions,” said Osborn, expressing his professional opinion.
Joe Biden is shown on Friday, June 28, the day after the debate, at a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Marc Siegel, inset left, and Dr. Brett Osborn, inset right, weighed in on President Biden’s performance during the Thursday night presidential debate, sharing concerns about his health from their point of view. (Fox News; Getty Images; Dr. Brett Osborn)
“His frequent pauses, stumbling over words and reliance on notes underscored concerns about his mental acuity,” Osborn added.
“Biden struggled to maintain a coherent narrative, often losing his train of thought mid-sentence.”
These seeming signs of cognitive decline highlight a “growing inability” to manage the complexities required by the job of the presidency, according to the neurosurgeon.
“His difficulty in articulating clear, concise responses and his apparent disorientation during the debate were seen by many – including his own constituents – as very troubling indicators of his overall health and an obvious decline in his cognitive function,” Osborn said.
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are shown during the first presidential debate of the 2024 election at CNN’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)
“President Biden lacks the mental sharpness required for the highest office in the land … especially amid [today’s] current national and international crises.”
The neurosurgeon, who has not treated Biden personally, also mentioned the 46th president has undergone multiple surgeries for brain aneurysms.
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There is a famous saying in neurosurgery, Osborn noted: “When the air hits your brain, you’re never the same.”
The surgeon surmised, “The odds have been stacked against him for years, long before his presidency.”
Joe Biden reacts as supporters greet him at his debate watch party at Hyatt Regency Atlanta on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Derek White/Getty Images for DNC)
Dr. Marc Siegel, physician, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, also spoke with Fox News Digital about concerns from his end.
“The debate is, in a way, a psychiatric or cognitive stress test,” he told Fox News Digital.
Although Biden was able to respond to questions and seemed to be spatially aware, according to Siegel, the president did display “frequent disorientation” and had “problems with spontaneity or redirecting,” the doctor said.
He has not personally examined Biden.
Dr. Marc Siegel, at right, joined “Fox & Friends” on Friday, June 28, to discuss the presidential debate on Thursday evening. (Kevin D. Liles for The Washington Post via Getty Images; Fox News)
Siegel described Biden’s speech as “meandering,” noting that he ended sentences in different places than intended, and “often mixed up ‘trillions’ and ‘billions’ and ‘millions.’”
Siegel confirmed that a physical illness, even with a cold, can bring out cognitive issues “even more.”
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“Even so, it’s hard to believe this is all from a cold,” Siegel told Fox News Digital. “Either way, we need someone who is sharp despite a cold.”
The NYU Langone physician noted that cognitive issues “wax and wane,” so they won’t always present the same way.
President Joe Biden looks over at former President Donald Trump during the first presidential debate of the 2024 election season on June 27, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
While the age of both candidates has been raised as a concern, Siegel countered that what’s important is a president’s physical and mental fitness.
“It is an issue of fitness, not of age,” he said. “It is an issue of mental acuity, which is especially important if there is a crisis.”
While Biden is 81 (he turns 82 in November), Trump is 78 years old.
During an appearance on “Fox & Friends” on Friday morning, Siegel also spoke about the possibility of cold medications impacting Biden’s performance.
“It is an issue of fitness, not of age. It is an issue of mental acuity.”
“None of the medications that he would be taking for a cold, except something that might make him drowsy, would be relevant here,” he said.
“And I don’t think they would give him something that would make him drowsy before a debate,” he said.
He added, “We’ve been watching this a long time. This is something progressive.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Biden campaign and to the White House press office for comment.
Earlier this year, concerns emerged about Biden’s age and memory after the release of a special counsel’s report. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Earlier this year, concerns emerged about Biden’s age and memory after the release of a special counsel’s report. The report described the Democrat’s memory as “hazy,” “fuzzy,” “faulty,” “poor” and having “significant limitations,” the Associated Press noted at the time.
The report indicated that Biden could not recall certain milestones in his own life, such as the date his own son Beau died of brain cancer, as Fox News Digital reported at the time. (Beau Biden passed away on May 30, 2015.)
“My memory is fine,” Biden responded afterward from the White House.
“A person with growing problems of memory and judgment is frequently the last to acknowledge it.”
The New York Times editorial board and others have called on Biden to step out of the race after his debate performance.
Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged that Biden had a “slow start” to the debate, but she defended his performance overall and his record during his time in the White House.
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Said Dr. Siegel in a New York Post opinion piece that ran in the publication on Saturday morning, “This isn’t a question of age. Cognition varies widely with age, and it isn’t fair to say that executive function is automatically impaired at a certain point in life. But it’s a sad medical fact that a person with growing problems of memory and judgment is frequently the last to acknowledge it.”
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Colorblindness, a condition that mostly affects men, could be linked to a higher mortality risk in bladder cancer cases, a new study suggests.
About 8% of men are estimated to have a form of color vision deficiency (CVD), compared to 0.5% of women, according to global statistics.
The condition, in which patients see and identify color differently, could cause people to miss blood in their urine, which is a vital sign of bladder cancer.
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Blood in the urine is the most common first sign of the disease and is often the impetus that leads to diagnosis, according to researchers at Stanford Medicine.
Those with colorblindness usually have difficulty seeing the colors red and green, which can present “everyday challenges.”
Colorblind bladder cancer patients have a 52% higher mortality risk, a Stanford study finds. (iStock)
In the latest study, published in the journal Nature Health, researchers analyzed health records and found that bladder cancer patients who are also colorblind have a 52% higher mortality rate over 20 years than those patients with normal vision.
Since colorblind people fail to recognize blood in their urine, they may be delayed in seeking care, which can lead to worse outcomes, the findings suggest. Bladder cancer is about four times more common among men than women.
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Senior study author Ehsan Rahimy, M.D., adjunct clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at Stanford Medicine, commented in a press release that he’s “hopeful this study raises some awareness, not only for patients with colorblindness, but for our colleagues who see these patients.”
“Colorblindness doesn’t cause bladder cancer, but it may make the earliest warning sign easier to miss.”
Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, a professor in NYU Langone’s Department of Ophthalmology, said the inability to recognize the color red in this scenario is a “real risk.”
“The patient, family and medical doctor should be made aware of this potential gap in diagnosis,” Lazzaro, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “It is important to raise awareness of potential issues in making the diagnosis of bladder or kidney cancer in colorblind individuals.”
A graphic to test colorblindness is shown. Red-green colorblindness is the most common form. (iStock)
“My guess is that many doctors may not be looking closely enough at the medical record to pick up on this eye problem, leading to delays in diagnosis as the patient may not be able to see the issue,” he added.
While the issue may not be completely avoidable, Lazzaro suggested that it could be prevented if colorblind patients are aware of the risk and inform their doctors of their vision limitation.
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Dr. Don Railsback, optometrist and CEO of Vision Care Direct in Kansas, agreed that people with known CVD and their clinicians should “pay close attention.”
“This is the kind of small detail in a medical history that can change how we counsel patients on the symptoms they should never ignore,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“The takeaway is simple: Don’t rely on color alone to detect a problem. Bladder cancer can present as painless bleeding, and if you ever suspect blood in your urine, you should alert your doctor.”
One doctor said this study is a reminder to tailor health guidance to “real-world differences” that are often seen as “small details.” (iStock)
Railsback, who was not part of the research, added that if the color of urine looks “off” — for example, is tea-colored or unusually dark — the patient should be checked “promptly.”
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“This study is a strong reminder to tailor health guidance to real-world differences and variations, including color vision,” he said.
For colorblind individuals, Railsback recommends asking their primary care physician for a urine test at annual visits. If something seems unusual, they should ask a spouse or partner.
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“Colorblindness doesn’t cause bladder cancer, but it may make the earliest warning sign easier to miss,” he said. “The fix is awareness and simple testing, not fear.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.
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Peptide therapy has gained popularity as a potential health and longevity booster, but experts are warning of cautions and limitations.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers involved in processes like metabolism, growth and immune function, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Some peptides have shown potential in helping with skin health, metabolism, muscle recovery and immunity, although research is limited, experts say.
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“‘Peptides’ is a broad umbrella that includes everything from well-studied, FDA-approved therapies to experimental compounds marketed for anti-aging with limited human data,” Dr. Brad Younggren, a board-certified physician and CEO and co-founder of Circulate Health in Seattle, Washington, told Fox News Digital.
Injectable GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drugs are a common form of peptides, he noted.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers involved in processes like metabolism, growth and immune function. (iStock)
“Most people now more widely understand the positive impact this peptide can have on human healthspan,” Younggren said. “Peptides have broad targets across human physiology, and each one must be explored independently.”
Other common types of peptides help with growth hormone production, healing and tissue repair, skin and hair health, immune regulation, and cardiovascular and blood pressure regulation.
Are peptides the fountain of youth?
Despite some claims of peptides extending lifespan, Younggren cautioned that no longevity therapy or treatment should be considered a “fountain of youth.”
“The science is promising in specific areas, but the category as a whole is not a single, proven longevity solution,” he said. “Peptides may be useful tools in select clinical contexts, but claims of universal rejuvenation are ahead of the evidence.”
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Ben Perez, the biomedical technology specialist at Pure Tested Peptides in Pennsylvania, noted that some people have seen benefits in recovery, immunity and tissue repair, while others have reported positive outcomes related to sleep, lean body mass and recovery time.
However, while peptides show promise, he said some suggested results may be “overly optimistic.”
Despite some claims of peptides extending lifespan, one expert cautioned that no longevity therapy or treatment should be considered a “fountain of youth.” (iStock)
“Some are anti-aging related and assist with cellular repair, release of growth hormones and metabolic functions,” Perez, who oversees quality control of research peptides, told Fox News Digital. “However, the results can be inconsistent, and the assertions are usually greater than the supportive research.”
Side effects
Each type of peptide can be associated with its own potential side effects, experts say.
Growth hormone–related therapies, particularly those that act on the growth hormone (GH)–IGF-1 axis, can affect multiple hormone pathways and carry risks such as fluid retention, insulin resistance, headaches and joint symptoms, as well as changes in blood pressure or lipid levels, according to Dr. Anant Vinjamoori, M.D., a Harvard-trained physician and chief longevity officer at Superpower.
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“The pathways in the study of peptides are complex and can lead to imbalances in the hormones of the body,” Perez said. “Other negative outcomes can be localized inflammation at the injection site and other reactions.”
“Endocrine disorders, autoimmune disorders and history of cancer are further reasons to be more careful.”
“Selling unproven, miracle-promising or supplement-peddling products with little accountability or third-party testing is a dangerous red flag.”
The most reliable way to receive peptide therapy is through injection, according to Vinjamoori, as some oral forms can be “under-absorbed” or may rely on added ingredients that can cause side effects.
“‘Safe’ is less about the route and more about the molecule, dose, purity and monitoring,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Most peptides have an extremely strong track safety record based on the data we do have — but there is still much that we do not know.”
Approval and regulation
Some peptides are FDA-approved for specific conditions, including GLP-1s and growth-hormone stimulators. These may be prescribed off-label in some contexts, although risks and benefits vary and evidence may be limited, according to experts.
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There are also some peptides that are not FDA-approved. “Many ‘fitness’ peptides discussed online are in early clinical phases or used only in research settings,” Vinjamoori noted.
“[Peptides] should be approached as a combination of lifestyle measures that contribute to better healthspan,” one expert said. (iStock)
Perez warned that peptides have little to no regulation in many countries, which means online vendors may sell fake, poor-quality or dangerous products.
“Selling unproven, miracle-promising or supplement-peddling products with little accountability or third-party testing is a dangerous red flag,” he said.
Starting safely
For those considering peptides, Vinjamoori recommends watching out for the following red flags.
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- Sourcing issues: Non-pharmacy “research chemicals,” lack of third-party testing or unclear labeling
- Overblown claims: Promises of rapid muscle gain or fat loss with no training changes
- Too many compounds: Stacking multiple substances without clear targets or bloodwork
- Lack of oversight: No clinician, baseline labs, or plan for cycling or stopping
“The most effective longevity care is proactive, personalized, and grounded in biomarkers and scientific evidence,” Younggren added. “It should be approached as a combination of lifestyle measures that contribute to better healthspan.”
Anyone interested in peptides should consult a physician to ensure that they receive a safe product and that it is used appropriately. (iStock)
Perez emphasized the importance of starting conservatively. “Understand the science, know the source and get medical guidance,” he advised. “Peptide therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s nuanced and still evolving.”
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While peptides may address issues that fall outside the reach of conventional medicine, Perez said, the supporting clinical data is still being developed.
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“Excessive use can lead to a decrease in their therapeutic effects and may cause adverse reactions, so more is not necessarily better,” he cautioned.
Anyone interested in peptides should consult with a physician to ensure that they receive a safe product and that it is used appropriately.
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