New Alzheimer’s Vaccine Could Cut Cases In Half

Scientists at the University of Texas, Southwestern have created a DNA vaccine for Alzheimer’s.

It’s thought that the formulation could decrease cases by half.

The vaccine utilizes DNA from Alzheimer’s proteins, from which the immune system learns to fight the compounds and prevent them from collecting in the brain.

The researchers believe human trials are finally in sight.

Dr. Roger Rosenberg, Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at UTS (and also the organization’s founder), said the breakthrough is the result of many years of trial-and-error:

“[It’s] the culmination of a decade of research that has repeatedly demonstrated that this vaccine can effectively and safely target in animal models what we think may cause Alzheimer’s disease.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops the disease. 1 in 3 senior citizens die with it or another form of dementia. 5.7 million Americans currently suffer from the terrible condition, for which there are noted risk factors but very little treatment. By 2050, that number is expected to reach nearly 14 million.