Don't be too hard on Biden. Here's how I know he may not be aware of any mental decline

Re: "I took and passed a cognitive test as a judge. Biden and Trump should have to do the same," by retired Judge Hamilton Gayden.

I wholeheartedly agree with Judge Gayden’s opinion that all U.S. presidential candidates should be required to first pass a neuropsychological test.

I am a retired, fully trained, neurologist and psychiatrist after a 40-year career during which I evaluated thousands of individuals for cognitive impairment, early dementia, and personality disorders.

Such testing would exclude from presidency those with cognitive impairment, such as from early Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other causes.

Testing would also help exclude those with dangerous personality disorders, such as antisocial, personality disorder, formally, sociopathic, personality disorder.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of persons with cognitive decline or serious personality disorder are unaware of any problem.

This is not due to active denial of pathology, but rather due to a phenomenon called lack of insight  or what neurologists  call anosognosia.

Joe Biden can save his legacyand this nation by stepping aside and passing the torch

In this common phenomenon, one’s brain fails to recognize that it is malfunctioning and the sufferer will insist that all is well. When cornered regarding any malfunction, they will insist that their prior accomplishments are an education of current brain function.

It is my opinion that neither candidate for president should be accepted as a party nominee without first undergoing a minimum of a six-hour independently administered  neuropsychological evaluation.

Martin Wagner, Nashville 37220

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