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”
This sounds so promising. I just had my 70th birthday.
I have taken care of and watched both my mother and oldest brother die from this terrible disease.  Now I have another brother with it, terrible!  My mother had 4 siblings, 3 died from Alzheimer’s. I have 5 siblings, one has already died from Alzheimer’s and another one has it. My youngest sisterÂ
told me just the other day that she’s afraid she has.  She is only 60. Our mother started showing symptoms at 62. This is a terrible way to die. My husband died of cancer, he told me,Â
I still rather go out with my brain in tact than the way your mother died. I thought that said it all. My family wants so much for someone to find a cure for this disease. I pray for it everyday.Â
My grandmother and my mother bothe had dementia. Moms was worse. It was terrible watching her go through that. She often told me that our roles reversed. That I was the mom and her the daughter. I really hope that I don’t put my family through this. It was the worse thing to wonder if she qould know who I was from day to day
My husband has had Dementia for the last 6 years he decling fast. I hope this is available for him soon. My father in law had alzheimers. My husband has 5 kids. 3 of witch are ours. I hope it will be available to them. Horrible disease so hard to watch him decline. Miss him every day.
My dad and each of his siblings have died from Alzheimer’s disease.I’m cautiously optimist that these trials will soon work to end this cruel disease. One tip I got from an adult daycare provider was to make a picture book of his favorite people so he could look at them when he was feeling stressed or emotional and know that his family was always close by. Another tip was to put labels in his clothes with his name, address and contact phone # in case he would wander off and not know how to get back home.
This disease is always on my mind. My family included my parents, 7 girls, and 4 boys. Im the 9th child and 6 girl born. My mom had Alzheimer’s and it took her life. I currently have my 3 oldest sisters diagnosed with it in different stages.Â
Who can participate in the trial study?.  My Daddy has Alzheimer’sÂ
My mother died from Alzheimer’s at 83 and my father has dementia and currently in a care facility. I worry this could be me later on . I’m currently 63 and I would take this vaccine should it come to work and get approved.
Both my grandma’s had it. I believe my mom showed signs of having it. My dad has Alzheimers and dementia. It’s very hard to watch even thou I use to work as a CNA. A Dr that he goes to already to me I will probably get it n to start on vitamin b12 2500mg n b1 250mg. Sure hope this get approved. I will for sure be getting it if it does.
Just found my baby brother has dementia he is 49 . I’m devastated by this I know not where to turn any help would be appreciated on information thank you
My husband has this terrible disease and it is really hard to watch he slowly being diminished by it. He was diagnosed about 4 years ago. He is nonverbal (except when he is cussing at me). The book Untangling Alzheimer’s is a real big help in trying to understand them. He is now in a memory care facility because I couldn’t handle him any longer. I had a 77 year old 2 year old. He can still feed himself but that is about all. Would love to see a cure but only if it were to completely return them to themselves. I would hate for him to be forever in the state He is now in.
My mom had dementia. So did her brother, her 3 sisters and her father.  But whether it was Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia we don’t know.  I live in total fear of dying this way. Â
My husband has Alzheimers stage 4.
How can we get him in the trial testing.
My sister in law passed last December and suffered for 14 yrs. Her mother died from it aswell. .She has 2 daughters, how can they get this vaccine
Just to correct something I wrote. My moms little sister has alzheimers and she is very well taken care of from her husband. A man who I admire so much. Cause he has been a rock for most of us and taken care of my grandmother with so much love. I thank him for that.
The woman that I love most in this world has this terrible sickness. I had to leave her in a home cause I couldn’t keep up with her care. She has always lived with me and its killing me that now when she needs me the most, I’m not there. I know I might have the sickness gean cause from my grandmother down to my moms little sister have died cause of it.
Lost my mother 15 years ago, was a terrible way to go.  So excited for this development.  Keep up the good work and let’s get this beast crushed!
When I was a teenager my grandpa had alzheimers. A particular memory:
One spring evening when I was 14 my father and I had gone to the nursing home that my grandparents lived in. I was always so close to my Grandpa. I loved him dearly. When we walked into their room my Grandpa looked at my dad and said ” you know I have a son that looks just like you. “. He knew he had a son and what he looked like but his mind didn’t make the connection that this was his son. I watched my dad’s heart break but could do nothing because it was the disease not Grandpa.
This is really great news! My family has been plagued by Alzheimer’s and we’ve been eagerly waiting for some good news- like this!!Â
My father has dementia, his aunt died of alzheimers – early onset-
It is extremely hard watching someone that used to constantly be busy, sit, watch tv, sleep, be so confused. We have a strong presence of alzheimers in our family, if there are any more subjects needed for the trial we would be interested participating.
What stage can you give this vaccine? Does it have to be early in stages?
My mom has Alzheimer’s. I would love for her to be able to get this. Every day is a new day. I also get nervous I am getting it. I would take it.
My dad has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia they are a horrid disease. All your above points are definately text book and let’s hope the trial soon becomes reality.Â