Biden stutters and rambles... Comparing it to symptoms of dementia

 

Repeating words and thoughts... early symptoms of dementia

Stuttering, rambling, or speaking repetitively are symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, which is a pre-dementia stage. Professor Kang Sung-hoon of the Department of Neurology at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "You can't determine whether someone has dementia just by looking at a discussion scene," and added, "If we talk only about symptoms, language decline is a typical early sign of dementia."

Dementia is not a disease that can be clearly classified as present or absent. It is diagnosed when cognitive function declines to the point where a person has difficulty performing normal daily activities independently. If cognitive function is impaired but daily life is still manageable, it is considered a pre-dementia stage. There are various types of dementia. These include Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. More than half of these cases are Alzheimer's dementia, which occurs when beta-amyloid and tau proteins accumulate in the brain, destroying brain cells. Professor Kang said, "In the early stages of Alzheimer's dementia, patients often experience a decline in concentration, memory, language ability, and visuospatial skills," adding, "They may speak incoherently or use pronouns because they cannot recall object names, and gradually lose their sense of direction, unable to recognize where they are even when looking at a map." There is a tendency to forget recent events more than past experiences. Patients with vascular dementia caused by abnormalities in cerebral blood vessels generally experience a decline in memory along with impaired frontal lobe functions that control behavior. They may become impulsive, suddenly indulge in gambling, and have decreased efficiency in task completion. They may also complain of lethargy and depression. As dementia progresses to the moderate stage, personality changes, such as increased anger, become apparent.

Symptoms of cognitive decline can appear as a pre-stage of dementia.

However, it could also be a natural sign of aging. Usually, if someone nearby gives a hint or if you take some time to think and recall, it is likely due to age-related forgetfulness. However, if even after hearing detailed anecdotes from others, you cannot remember at all, you should suspect the early stages of dementia. Professor Ko Ki-dong of the Department of Family Medicine at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "Some patients come suspecting dementia when they have forgetfulness, and many patients with dementia mistakenly think it's just forgetfulness and see it worsen. If symptoms are identified quickly and treatment is started, the progression can be slowed, so I believe it is important to suspect dementia."

After the controversy surrounding President Biden following the debate, his aides explained that President Biden's appearance could vary depending on the time of day. The aides said, "There are no issues with his work from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.," and "During other times or when he is traveling abroad, there is a higher likelihood that President Biden may make speech errors or feel fatigued." Is this also a symptom of dementia? Professor Go Gi-dong stated, "Dementia symptoms do not improve and worsen depending on the time of day," and "Generally, everyone's brain function tends to decline relatively in the evening."

There are claims that President Biden may have Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a condition characterized by the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons in the central part of the brainstem, leading to cognitive decline and movement abnormalities. Professor Robert Howard of the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry at University College London said, "Biden seems to have difficulty finding the right words," and added, "Such decreased attention can occur not only in dementia but also in Parkinson's disease." What he focused on was President Biden's behavior. Professor Howard explained, "Parkinson's patients sometimes experience moments of body rigidity, with stiff legs and slowed movements, which increase the risk of falling," and noted, "President Biden has recently shown frequent falls or stiff-looking movements." President Biden fell while trying to board Air Force One in March 2021, and there were similar incidents in May and June 2022. In June last year, he suddenly fell after receiving his diploma at the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony and was moving toward the guest seating area.