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[00:00.45] Researchers are renewing efforts to find Alzheimer’s disease treatments that remove harmful proteins from the brain.

[00:11.67] Such vaccines could possibly offer an easier and lower-cost choice for millions of people, several scientists and industry leaders say.

[00:26.63] The brain-wasting disease causes thinking and memory problems.

[00:33.27] The U.S. government website ClinicalTrials.gov shows that at least seven possible Alzheimer’s vaccines are in human testing or have completed such trials.

[00:49.30] The experimental treatments are designed to use the body’s natural defense system to destroy Alzheimer’s-linked proteins in the brain.

[01:02.65] The proteins are beta amyloid and tau.

[01:07.19] The renewed interest in Alzheimer’s vaccines follows a promising first attempt more than 20 years ago.

[01:17.62] That vaccine work halted after six percent of study volunteers developed a life-threatening brain condition called meningoencephalitis.

[01:31.75] Researchers then found a safer method using closely targeted synthetic antibodies in patients.

[01:41.90] These antibodies avoid extreme immune system reaction.

[01:48.08] Health care companies Eisai and Biogen launched a new medication called Leqembi and health care company Eli Lilly launched Donanemab.

[02:02.23] American government drug experts are reviewing the treatments.

[02:08.38] The reported success of the drugs has strengthened the theories that amyloid removal is critical to fighting Alzheimer’s.

[02:19.06] Scientists believe they now understand what went wrong with the first vaccine.

[02:26.28] They are testing shots they hope will cause an immune reaction without causing too much inflammation.

[02:35.89] Dr. Reisa Sperling is an Alzheimer’s researcher at Mass General Brigham in Boston.

[02:44.42] She said she believes vaccines will play an important part as researchers look to prevent Alzheimer’s.

[02:54.83] She said, “I'm very keen that that's where we need to go.”

[03:00.96] Sperling is leading a trial in people with Alzheimer’s proteins in their brains but showing no signs of related problems.

[03:11.92] She is considering vaccines for her next study in people who have Alzheimer’s proteins in their blood, but not enough to show on imaging of the brain.

[03:24.76] Alzheimer’s vaccines are still in the early stages and will require large, years-long trials to show they work.

[03:35.42] But a vaccine given two or four times a year could offer a lower-cost solution than Leqembi.

[03:45.86] Leqembi is given twice a month.

[03:49.57] That could expand available treatment among the estimated 39 million people around the world with Alzheimer’s.

[03:59.98] Dr. Walter Koroshetz is director of the part of U.S. National Institutes of Health that deals with disorders involving the brain.

[04:11.71] He said of the vaccines, “They could be worldwide, and not that expensive.”