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 Ma has dementia. She is in a care facility and we have hospice for her. It’s been a scary and depressing road we’ve been on, watching a woman who was so clean, in control, love the opera and all her social activities. She’s 96 and I hope I don’t live that long. She’s in a happy place but she’s almost a vegetable brain wise Â
Getting this dreadful illness is my biggest fear. My mother, aunts, grandfather all died from alheimers. Â It was difficult for all of them as the people around them did not understand the illness and made many mistakes, such as correcting them constantly. My mother did better for me as I tried to live in her world. If she saw water and was afraid of drowning I would jump in the water and swim to her. I met her where she was in her reality. Â
Paige, your story is similar to mine. My mom too passed away at 85. She lived in assisted living and a nursing home 8 years before she passed. I am 64 and I know my memory is not as sharp as it used to be. I’m noticing that I can’t always come up with a correct word to use in conversation. My sister who is 66 was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about 4 years ago and we recently had to take away her car keys. My grandmother also died from Alzheimer’s. I tried to participate in a Alzheimer’s study several years ago- I filled out a lot of paper work and never got a response. I am going to Alzheimer’s conference next Friday. I went to one about 8 years ago and I learned a lot- they will give us info on new research and how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s.
Would love to be a part of this study. If you could send me any contacts to possibly get included.
My Mom has Dementia and she’s going into her second year  with the disease.
It’s hard to deal with it watching her slowly loosing her self.
Im her career and I wish I could do more to help.
The vaccine cannot come soon enoughÂ
Hello! My name is Tamara and I’m 38 years old! My mother got diagnosed around 5 years ago. She is now in an assisted living facility because my step father and I couldn’t take care of her anymore! She would violent episodes and it was scary! It’s awful seeing the strong woman who raised you pretty by herself struggle with this horrible disease. I’m not sure if it will be too late but I pray everyday that they find a cure for this horrific disease and that my mom will get better.Â
My father was diagnosed with dementia and he is in the early stage of it right now he has had some episodes and he has forgot who my kids was at one time.. it’s scary and I hate that he has this disease. I hope this vaccine comes out soon and it will help my dad. I dont want to loss him over this.. he has his good days and bad but we try to help him remember things and talk to him alot. Keep him moving and he has his puzzle he works with so that has helped him remember too..
My mother has Lewy Body Dementia, similar to Alzheimers, and is currently in a care facility. This disease is so cruel. It robs the person of everything they are, and the family members of the loved one they’ve always known. I feel like I’m already grieving the loss of my mother, even though I talk to her everyday. I really hope we see a cure in our lifetime. Thank you for posting this.
My mother had Lewy Bodies. She passed away 3 yrs ago this Oct. it wasn’t so much forgetting things ( although she did towards the end. She couldn’t remember who my father was and thought we were leaving her with a stranger). Mostly hallucinating. Thinking she was in the town she grew up in and seeing children all the time (she was a teacher). It runs in her family. Several siblings have it. My audited and I are worried we will get it. Hope the vaccine comes soon.Â
My Mom has Alzheimers. Â I wish with all my heart she could be a part of this study. Â It is definitely a heart wrenching disease to those of us who love them. Â It is so painful to see her going through this and I would never wish this on my worst enemy. I feel for all families going through this and pray for you all.Â
My grandmother died of Alzheimers, my mother now has it, she cannot keep up with a conversation, she moves things in strange places like putting socks in a kitchen drawer. She won’t bath herself, I bathe her twice a week and sometimes she tells me I’m doing a good job and asks me if she paid me. I’m forgetting things and after seeing her go through this, I’m scared as hell that I’m next. Wondering if that is going to be me in a few years. I sure hope this vaccine works and thank God for the research. I’ve started writing a journal for my family and in it will be that if I end up with this horrible disease to take me to Colorado and administer “end of life” drugs. I don’t want to put them through taking care of me.
I’m in the same place and have given instructions to my children also. I wouldn’t wish this disease on anyone. Stay strong. Â
My mom has dementia/Alzheimer’s, it’s a frustrating disease for the whole family!! I hope they get this through so we can try it
My mother and step father has this disease. My father has this since around 2009 and we notice some things were off with my mom around 2012. My. Mom has sundowner and as declined a lot faster then my dad. This is a devil disease. It’s horrible to see what they go thru daily and they think it’s nornal and just as terrible for us loves one to watch it.
My mother has had altimeters for over a yr now and now just found out she has sundowners it’s been hard on my father he has been taken care of her but we had to put her in a home this week cause she took off on him when he was in the hostpital and barricaded herself in the house and had to get the cops in the house it was a hard decision but he will go in with her since she don’t understand what’s going on right now or where she is
My mother age 56 was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago. This disease is extremely aggressive. I moved back near my parents and began helping with her care. She can no longer write on her own, she doesn’t know who I am, and her speech is disjointed and makes no sense at all. Watching her decline is heartbreaking. I hope this trial proves effective and can help others health.Â
I am very excited about the possibility of this vaccine. My maternal grandfather, my mother, 2 maternal aunts and my mom’s nephew have all passed with Alzheimer’s Disease, plus one of my brother in laws. Now I have a sister who is living with it now. I would love to be in on this trial if I am needed. This is a sad disease for anyone and I am praying that a cure can be found.
My mom has Dementia now, how soon can i get this vaccine for her??? I would love to see how it changes her disease!
Sounds amazing. I am excited I hope soonerÂ
My husband will be 80 this coming Wednesday and he was diagnosed two years ago. I know he had been dealing with it for at least three years before that. So wish this vaccine was available. We now know why the Lord gave us a child at the ages we were. She’s now 16 and a blessing. It takes both of us to lift him off the floor when he falls. Thank goodness it’s not often. Keep up the testing.
My grandmother has Alzheimer’s and dementia and she can’t remember her son’s name that’s there everyday all day taking care of her so he walks around the house with a shirt that says his name on it and she is always asking me my name and iam 36 now and was always over her house mowing or painting her house when I was younger
My mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She’s been living with me for a year now. This has to be one of the most difficult diseases to deal with, for both the patient and the family members caring for them. It’s extremely frustrating for her. I think one of the most important things I’ve learned during this process is patience. I’ve also found if I can keep her busy and entertained it helps with her mood. Thank you for this article. How wonderful it would be to have a medication that actually helps.Â
I am interested in being in the study.
I will be 63 yrs old in a couple of weeks. My mother died of Alzheimer’s at age 85. I can’t always remember things & ask people to tell me thing repeatedly. I also repeat stories to friends because i don’t remember telling them. I read a lot but don’t always remember what a book or movie is about. I wish the vaccine was available now. Thank you so much for your research!!!
Wish this vaccine was available to the public my husband has alzheimers and it is so difficult watching him getting worse he is on epinutin and donacept. It’s so hard for them.
My mother has dementia she is 86 years old. It is killing me watching her slip away. She is in an assisted living home but her Dr said if she continues to be frustrated and at times aggressive that we should put her in a lock down unit. He said they don’t give out the medications they use to because there is a black box warning of possible death to the elderly. I don’t really understand that my mother would give up and die if she were put into a lock down unit. Praying really hard for the right decision.
My mother had dementia and we lost her a year ago this August. Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease and I wish this trial was available for her to take part in. I will get this vaccine if/when it becomes available
This would be a great study to be a part of, seeing how I have constant memory problems
Interesting information. Last year after seeing the neurologist for an evaluation testing determined I have atrophy in an area of my brain. I was experiencing mild cognitive difficulties. The MRI revealed atrophy in my brain. The diagnosis he had to give was dementia. This was devastating to me because I had overcome a pre-existing condition from birth. The determination was made that the long term use of this medicine may have had a large contribution to the diagnosis. I am having very good results with the medication. I am strong willed and working hard at my job and continue to be independent and work a job requiring attention to detail and research.
I’m caring for my mother law in my home she has dementia and alzheimers we would love to get more information about the new medication coming out please help us