Sally Magnusson and her family cared for their mother for many years before her death from dementia. With a possible familial link, Sally has often wondered: Will I be next?

Now a cure for Alzheimer’s is in sight – but the scientists need people like Sally to be tested. She can find out if she has the invisible indications of Alzheimer’s in her brain already by being part of a ground-breaking study of “healthy brains” at Scotland’s pioneering brain clinic.

The study is run by Professor Craig Ritchie, who says “We can cure Alzheimer’s before it becomes dementia – just as we learned to stop HIV before it became AIDS. But to do that, we must test people before they get symptoms.”

It’s not an easy decision for anyone. With access to Sally’s family, top scientists and other sufferers, Sally weighs up a potentially life changing decision.

Photograph © Lorna Allan