Memantine’s Potential to Combat Alzheimer’s

Re “Deferred Hope for Dementia Sufferers,” Opinion, July 20: I believe my parents died twice. First, when Alzheimer’s/dementia tore away their dignity and, second, when God’s mercy ended their suffering. How can the Food and Drug Administration not move heaven and Earth to determine whether the drug memantine can be prescribed in this country, as it is abroad? I cannot understand why other drugs, such as a weight-loss treatment, are “fast-tracked” for evaluation and memantine isn’t.

I wish the anguished screams of Alzheimer’s victims could be heard inside the halls of Congress and the White House. I wish we would stop waging war and creating artificial peace long enough to focus on the torment of our parents and grandparents who raised us to love and respect this country because, among other things, it cares for those who cannot care for themselves.

Karin Klein, thank you for sharing your mother’s story.

Estela Lopez

Los Angeles