US President Joe Biden is not being treated for Parkinson's disease, the White House said, after the New York Times reported that visitor logs showed a doctor specialising in the illness visited the White House at least eight times from August through March.
Concerns that Mr Biden might be suffering from an undisclosed illness have risen since he stumbled, appeared frail and lost his train of thought at times, in his 27 June debate against Republican Donald Trump.
"Has the president been treated for Parkinson's? No. Is he being treated for Parkinson's? No, he's not. Is he taking medication for Parkinson's? No," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told a briefing.
Mr Biden is battling criticism from some democrats that he lacks the mental acuity to stand as their nominee against Mr Trump in the 5 November presidential election.
A review of White House visitor logs showed that Dr Kevin Cannard, a neurologist and movement disorders specialist from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, visited the White House eight times from last August through to March this year.
Dr Cannard has co-authored research on treatment for early Parkinson's disease at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
The specialist met with White House physician Dr Kevin O'Connor at the White House in mid-January, the logs showed.
Dr Cannard's visits to the White House were first reported by The New York Post on 6 July.
One former White House official, who worked for Mr Biden when he was vice president under president Barack Obama and as president, was treated by the same doctor for migraines in 2016, the former official told journalists.
The doctor came to the White House once a month then as part of his rotation, the individual said.
The White House has refused to confirm or elaborate on the doctor’s visits.
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At the media briefing, Ms Jean-Pierre was frequently challenged by reporters and said she wanted to respect the privacy of all involved for security reasons.
The White House press secretary said Mr Biden had seen a neurologist three times connected to his annual physical exam.
She did not explain Dr Cannard's presence at the White House but suggested it might be connected to treating some of the military personnel who work at the White House complex.
"There are thousands of military personnel that come to the White House and they are under the care of the medical unit," Ms Jean-Pierre said.
