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 mom passed away from the disease in 2015.  No my husband has it.  It’s such a painful thing to see.  He is such a sweet husband  no problems with him.  My mom gave me problems I’m blessed my husband is very seeet.  He has a hard time talking studers trying to find the right words. Uses words that aren’t the right words.  I’d like more information of this med that would help him
Yes my mother diana is 71 years old, and is now experiencing all these symptoms, she was put on drugs to slow down the progression, however the progression is not slowing down, I did take her off her dementia drugs for three days just to monitor her actions and she actually thinks more clearly without the meds,,,
now I don’t know what to do.
My mom is suffering from dementia. She just keeps asking me same questions over.n over n over. I just keep answering same question as if it was the 1st. Time.
But when she came into tv room today she asked me where my farther was. I told her.he had passed away over 5 years ago n she actually said are you serious.
Im affraid for her well being n just want to get her back on track. With her meds n possible set up home health care n just make her life easy n comfortable. Long road ahead.
The long goodbye is my greatest fear. Â This would truly be a blessing. Â How long to you estimate a vaccine will be available?
LORD, I pray this vaccine becomes available VERY SOON.
My mom is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.  It is such a horrible disease! I watched my grandmother wither away everyday from the same disease! I would love for my mom to have the opportunity to this vaccine! Are they still opening test groups?  The challenges she and my dad are having to face are increasing day by day.  Please let me know if a test group is possible.
Diagnosed with mild dementia. Taking 4 months to see the specialist.Â
My husband diagnosed year ago .. self employed electrician and Jack of All trades and wanting to retire this year .. he still is pretty good at most things but it’s sad that after all the years of working for people and doing things for family and build two homes and renovated our present home that this is happening to a man that deserves good retirement years ..I’m so sad.. so please find that this vaccine with be available ASAP… thank you for listening
If they are accepting patients for this study I’d love to hear about it. My Mom is suffering from ALZ and it is so painful to watch her die before my eyes. I miss being able to call her for advise on everything. It’s robbed my dad of his retirement and happiness.
My mother has been diagnosed with dementia. Recently she went to the hospital with pneumonia and passed a gall stone. They administered 3 different high potency antibiotics. She got better and experienced more lucidity than we had seen in the last three years. She went from echolalic speech of  the same phrase over and over to varied meaningful phrases about what was happening currently. It was amazing. Unfortunately when they decreased the antibiotics to one she reverted to her previous state. I am pleased that they are developing a vaccine. No one should have to go through this.
I am currently dealing with this disease. My 93 yo motg er is in the last stages. She is living in a memory care unit here in Colorado. I also volunteer at the Alzheimer’s association on the help line, and next mont I will take over a facilitator of a support group. I am always leery of “Alzheimer’s cure” posts because it create a false hoo e. Since you didn’t promise a cure and also mentioned the Alzheimer’s association I’m appreciative of that. This would be wonderful for those who don’t have AD…. yet. Thank you
I was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s 18 months ago. I am 66 Yrs old. I believe my mom was developing this illness before she passed at 83. I don’t know of anyone else in the family who has. Most of us die from cancer. That was my worry. Alzheimer’s never occurred to me. I went to my doctor because I began imagining things. He began me on meds immediately & they have helped. My daughter is a nurse & I am so grateful because I know she will know how to help me but I am still afraid. I play in two pool leagues & want to find a bowling league. I try to travel but it’s expensive. I want to make the last year of my life fun. It’s scary to live this way. I can’t read like I used to because it’s becoming harder to remember what I read. I know that when I’m excited/happy it’s easier to do things. Just know that we appreciate the help caregivers provide. We can’t manage going through this without loved ones. Our memories will go but I refuse to believe we can no longer feel the love from family.
I’m just about the age my mom was when I first said she had Alzheimer’s. Â (56). It was two more years before she was officially given her diagnosis. Â Every day, every single day, I wonder if it is my turn. Â
This sounds hopeful. Â I hope it is in my time. Â Â
My grandpa died of Alzheimer’s and now my mom has it. I’m terrified of getting it. I just hope every time I see one of these studies that it’s legit. I’m 62. I figure I’ve got 10-15 years before I come down with it. Hoping for a cure.Â
My hubby of 69 yrs. died from Alzheimers.  A very soft spoken, kind man who was never hard to handle.  He had it for 8 yrs. from 81 yrs. of age till he was 89 at the end.  Couldn’t eat or drink toward the end and went from 172 to 120 pounds. I kept him at home during hospice till the end. Hard to get him to bathe.  Got a walk in tub and my son would take him and wash him and that is the only way  we could do it. It is hard to see someone you love suffer like this.  He always said he felt as if he had a big hole in his head. Since it is hereditary I hope they find a cure cause we have 6 sons and I would hate to see them get this disease.
Pray for a cure!
It’s the worst disease ever-not only for the person who suffers from it, but for the whole family. It’s devastating and debilitating. My mom had it for about 6 years-that we’re aware of-maybe a little longer as she may have hid her symptoms from us, and we also may not have realized and didn’t know enough about this terrible disease. She also suffered from sundowners. I hope and pray they come up with a cure.Â
My grandmother and mother both passed away from the not Alzheimer’s, but from what the disease does to your mind and body. You forget to chew, so you choke while you are eating. You forget to breathe, so they put you on oxygen in hopes that it will keep you going for a little bit longer. You forget who you are and who the rest of your family members are. It robs you of everything you were. You become just a shell of yourself. I hated looking at my mother who would just sit there and stare at people or things and not know what or who she was looking at. It broke my heart knowing that deep down inside I knew she was trying to remember but it just wouldn’t come to her. She didn’t know me or my name. Alzheimer’s is I feel the most heart breaking diseases of all times. I have prayed that they would find a cure or something that would at least slow the progression down, because I know what families go through with someone who has it. I hope and pray that they continue with the case studies and that it works for all who have the disease. Thank you to those that work tirelessly coming up with a cure.
My wife is 57 years old, and was diagnosed two years ago with Early Onset Alzheimer’s.  I still care for her at home, but as she is now at Stage 6, it’s extremely difficult.  She no longer has any meaningful memory of her past, or the 30 years we’ve been married.  She no longer knows who I am, or my name.  It’s a heartbreaking disease, and takes your loved ones from you a little piece at a time.
I wish we had been aware of this study..before my wife got much worse, she had agreed if I could find anything that seemed likely to help her, she would trust me to sign her up.
My mother has Alzheimers. My husband and I have been taking care of her for 11 years now. This is the most wicked and evil disease. My mother has other health problems so she has been on hospice almost a year. We think her suffering will be over in soon. It worries me that I could also get this horrible disease.
My husband has Alzheimer’s and I can tell it’s progressing. I wish there was some way to get him in one of these studies or trials on this vaccine. We lost his father and his sister to this horrible disease.