An Alzheimer’s vaccine may be available in our lifetime! Results from a small study have shown that people are responding positively to a Phase II trial.
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known. As you know, it causes memory loss and cognitive decline. If you’ve ever loved someone who was suffering from this unspeakably wicked disease, you know how brutal it is. It robs a person of who they are and it breaks the hearts of their families. There is no cure… yet. But a new vaccine now entering Phase III trials looks very, very promising. Here’s what you need to know.
Facts About the Alzheimer’s Vaccine
Currently, you cannot walk into a doctor’s office and ask to get the vaccine. I want to be clear about that. However, you shouldn’t be surprised if it happens sooner than you ever hoped.
Researchers believe Alzheimer’s patients have plaques containing beta-amyloid, a sticky brain protein which forms in the brain. (You’ll forgive me if my explanation isn’t the best. Not a doctor!)
But what United Neuroscience, the folks behind the research, believes they have found is a vaccine that appears to improve brain function and reduce the protein plaque gumming up their neurons.
“We are doing better than the placebo on all these things,” said United Neuroscience CEO Mei Mei Hu to Bloomberg News. “We can’t make any claims yet, but we’re pointing in all the right directions.”
In fact, there was a small United clinical trial that showed that a whopping 96 percent of patients responded, without serious side effects, to the Alzheimer’s vaccine they call UB-311. That’s incredible! It’s a small study, but it gives me hope and it should give you hope as well. (Read more about it here.) The company is beginning Phase III studies now.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
If a loved one is exhibiting these symptoms to the point that you feel concern, take them as soon as possible to see a doctor who specializes in dementia.
The very first signs of Alzheimer’s is difficulty remembering newly learned information. Don’t freak out, though. We all have problems in that area from time to time.
Read about all the other symptoms so you can get a full picture of what to look for. The information below was found on the Alzheimer’s Association website. I encourage you to visit the site to learn more.
1. Memory loss that interferes in everyday living. Asking for the same information over and over is one example.
2. Challenges in planning or problem-solving. They may have trouble following a recipe or managing bills.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. One example would be forgetting how to play a game they’ve always loved.
4. Folks might be confused about the passage of time. Sometimes they forget where they are.
5. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast.
Alzheimer’s Vaccine: “This is still the beginning of the beginning.”
-Eric Reiman, Alzheimer’s researcher
6. Following or joining a conversation may be problematic. There may be trouble with their vocabulary or calling things the wrong names. Like calling wheels on a car round things, or a watch a hand clock.
7. Misplacing things and being unable to retrace their steps to find them. They often complain that their things were stolen.
8. Poor judgment and personal care. Patients may not shower as much and unfortunately, they may be swindled easily by folks after their money. (Like telemarketers.)
9. Sufferers commonly withdraw and stop doing the things they once loved to do.
10. Their moods and personalities may change. Folks may be super irritable when their plans change or they are outside their comfort zone.
In closing…
Do you love someone with Alzheimer’s? Have you ever worried about yourself? We’d love to hear your experiences and wisdom on the subject, so please join in the conversation in the comments.
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170 comments on “Everything You Need to Know About the Alzheimer’s Vaccine Studies”
My Dad has alziemers he has had it hoping on 4 years now. It really is scary because He gets angry. We have too make him think every thing is his idea. My Mom was okay until last Nov. Her mind was excellent unshe took sick and all of a sudden had no clue where she was. Then they said she had it alziemers. It came on suddenly. She is doing well. She knows everything except she will be talking and forget what or who she is talking about and start talking about something else. So they both have it. It really scares my brothers and sisters and I aboutthis we don’t any of us have a chance it seems. Both parents are in there 90’s that is the only advantage. They have lived a long life. I know my Grandmother had it also she passed at age 95. My Grandpa had an excellent mind.at the age 99.
My husband can mostly described as being affected with 1-5 symptoms but now doesn’t want to shower. He is here but the really hard part is coming. For people with Alzheimers and their families we don’t care how effective the drug is. If there is any chance it helps let us have it now.
I am currently in a study about Alzheimer’s disease. I am showing early signs. My paternal grandmother had Alzheimer’s many years ago. At that time there was no cure or even studies being done! I am praying and hoping that a cure can be found soon!!
I need to know more as there are symptoms been brought to my attention. Please explain the steps in going forward. I have had so much anesthetics for different operations. My pain has at time been excruciating and have had to take strong medication which I am sure plays a part in the disease. I am interested in the injection
My wife has been diagnosed  with FTD about 4 years ago and is now 63. Â
I hope and pray a cure comes soon. Â She is so active but her mind is not there to remember names, people and items. Â Having to move and work remotely to be around family to help take care of her as it takes a lot of friends and family to help out.Â
We have been in a Mayo Clinic study but would love to be part of a new trial drug study.
My Daddy suffered from this. Was diagnosed nearly 10 years before his passing. I was his sole care giver until I moved him to an assisted living then to a care center. I hope me, and my brothers can be vaccinated against this. My mother in law is showing signs ,and my husband’s is very forgetful as well.
Is there a way to get someone into the trial studies?
My dad has dementia. It is terrible to watch him go through it. My mom is his main caregiver and it takes a toll on her. Even worse, she is starting to show sign of it as well. I pray this is finalized soon. My parents, as well as myself need this!
I lost my mom 2 years ago January 19th. It was a horrible struggle with her she had it full blown.
I sure wish this was available for her I lost my best friend. I will definatly get this when it’s available.
How do you get into the study? My mother had this awful disease and I’m worried to death I I have it as well ….I do not wish this on my worst enemy!Â
My husband was diagnosed with FTDementia. It’s been 3 years now. He just turned 59 last October. I would welcome any vaccine that shows promise against this terrible disease, including during its test stages.
We are part of a pilot project on Early Onset Dimentia with the Alzheimers Society that runs until Aprril. Thank God for that support as our life as we know it is changing and it’s scary as a caregiver. I’ve educated myself what to expect but it’s not like you say to your partner “hey honey this is what we have to look forward to.” He is frustrated with his memory and hopes things “don’t get worse”. I learned a new catch phrase at our meeting that explains it well “living grief”. Thank God for blessings like grandchildren, family and friends and most importantly Faith that we don’t walk alone as in poem “Footprints”.
My mother has Alzheimer’s and I fear I will one day. It is so sad to have her but she’s not really here.Â
My husband has. Alzheimer’s with Parkinson this is 8 year. He is bed ridden we feed him he can sit up other than that we do everything will this shot help him.
My mom passed for Alzheimer’s disease. It was very sad to watch and I would not wish it on anyone. My mother in law is now in the midst of it. What can we do?
My husband was Diagnosed with dementia two years ago. We can see it steadily progressing. It would be wonderful if there was a trail that he could participate in. Or if this new drug became available to us
I have been caring for my 90 year old grandmother for 4 years she has Alzhiemers, her mother had Dementia and I worry is it a genetic issue that I may get too. We have our good days when she is in a good mood and wants to go for a ride or go socialize, or doesn’t give me a hard time about taking a walk which her Doctor wants her to do to keep her legs strong, or she isn’t stalling about taking a shower, and we have our bad days where she refuses to go for a walk and calls us fat, won’t eat what we are having for dinner, flashes me for no reason, gets confused on peoples names… I have her in an adult day care 2 days a week so we each get a little break from each other and also so I can try to make a little money cleaning on the side to help with bills as we have to pay for the daycare program. She used to love to play Bingo but now can’t do it anymore as she can’t keep up. My advice is to try and keep their brain active as much as possible get coloring books, or jigsaw puzzles, do some gardening, take them to lunches at local soup kitchens see what activities are offered at your local COA that they may like,