The first volunteer in a major new dementia prevention project has embarked on memory tests in a bid to find a cure for the illness.

Julie Duffus volunteered to take part in the research after losing both her parents to Alzheimer's disease.

She met experts at Edinburgh University on Thursday to complete some basic mental agility tests as part of a wider drive to detect the early signs of Alzheimer's.

Around 6000 people across Europe will undergo similar tests over the next few months.

All participants will also have regular medical checks as researchers map their health.

Mrs Duffus, who lives in Clackmannanshire, said: "My mum and dad both had Alzheimer's disease so I've seen first-hand the devastating effects it has on patients' lives and those around them.

"Both my parents were involved in research themselves so it is important for me to play my part too. I hope that my contribution will in some way help scientists to find better ways of diagnosing the disease and potentially, one day, to prevent it."

Mrs Duffus' mother Beryl was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her early 80s after experiencing memory loss.

She was one of the first to take part in a clinical trial of the Alzheimer's drug galantamine, which is now widely used to treat the condition. She died in 2005.

Four years later, Mrs Duffus' father dad Bert was also diagnosed with the disease. He deteriorated quickly and passed away in 2012.

Mrs Duffus said she was keen to learn more about the illness that claimed her parents' lives.

She said: "I like to keep up-to-date with research and try to read and learn as much as I can.

"I'm very aware that genetics can sometimes play a role in Alzheimer's, so it is worrying for me.

"By taking part in this study, I hope I can help other families who are affected by this horrible disease."

Mrs Duffus is also a participant in PREVENT, a UK study to identify factors that are present in midlife that may influence risk of dementia.