"An experimental vaccine that could hold off Alzheimers disease  showed promising results in animal testing according to researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Testing in mice showed that the vaccine safely prevents the buildup of substances in the brain associated with the fatal disease the team reported this week in the journal Alzheimers Research  Therapy httpsalzres.biomedcentral.comarticles.s. There has been research in monkeys and rabbits as well and the researchers hope the vaccine will progress to human trials.  If the vaccine proves safe and effective in humans it could slice the number of dementia diagnoses in half the studys senior author told USA TODAY. More The hidden side of dementia Families fight over care endoflife decisions finances estates https Dementia is a term used to broadly describe symptoms of cognitive decline Alzheimers disease is the most common cause of dementia. Doris LambrachtWashington a professor of neurology and neurotherapeutics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said researchers believe the vaccine could extend lives by preventing the disease from developing. If the onset of the disease could be delayed by even five years that would be enormous for the patients and their families LambrachtWashington said in a statement. The number of dementia cases could drop by half. Nov.  MRI scan may predict which people will develop Alzheimers disease https Nov.  Dark roast coffee might reduce risk of Alzheimers Parkinsons study suggests https LambrachtWashington said the study marks major progress toward a safe and effective vaccine. Previous attempts to find an Alzheimers vaccine either caused harmful side effects such as brain inflammation or used less effective approaches she said. The vaccine works by prompting the body to produce antibodies inhibiting the buildup of amyloid and tau two proteins that are hallmarks of the degenerative brain disease.  The vaccine is one of several promising treatments aimed at reducing the buildup of those substances before they become deadly plaques and tangles in the brain. Top of Form Bottom of Form About . million Americans have Alzheimers disease according to the University of Texas. The number could double by ."