As a former health professional, Eileen Blunt was all too aware of the effects of Alzheimer’s when she was diagnosed with the disease.

Six years later, Eileen is almost as sharp as ever – and it could be thanks to a new dementia-slowing drug.

But she may never know, as she’s been part of a blind trial.

For 15 months the former Kirklees councillor took part in a trial of LMTX – a drug which researchers say has delayed the progression of Alzheimer’s and a pharmaceutical first.

Whether Eileen, 71, took the drug or the placebo is another matter and she’s unlikely to ever find out.

However, the great-grandmother and former Care Quality Commission board member is now taking LMTX three times a day and her conditions seems to be in check.

Au fait with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, Eileen became concerned about her memory loss and referred herself to her GP.

Her doctor referred Eileen to a specialist who later referred her to the LMTX trial.

Pioneering treatment for Alzheimers sufferer Eileen Blunt with her husband, David.

The initial diagnosis was a shock; finding out you have Alzheimer’s usually signals a descent into memory loss, confusion and distress for the patient and their loved ones.

But whether it’s Eileen’s strong mental constitution or the effect of LMTX, day-to-day life for Eileen and her husband David is pretty normal for a retired couple.

And apart from driving – she was never good with directions, David says – she is able to do most of the things she did before her diagnosis.

David, 65, said: “The difference between when she was first diagnosed and now is marginal; she copes really well.

“The reputation that Alzheimer’s has makes you thing about people going into a world of their own...

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised that it’s not developed.”

Eileen, of Kirkburton, hopes that the trial she participated in will help other people with Alzheimer’s.

She said: “I worked with people that had Alzheimer’s so I knew what was going to happen but you have to live with it.

“If I can help other people that’s what the trial was all about. I’m feeling very optimistic.

“I’m not bothered about knowing whether I was taking the drug or the placebo.

“I’m carrying on the way I would had I not been taking the drug.”

Pioneering treatment for Alzheimers sufferer Eileen Blunt with her husband, David.

She jokes: “I’m normal!”

LMTX was invented by Claude Wischik, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at the University of Aberdeen.

A trial, where participants took only LMTX, found that the drug slowed some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s such as memory loss in patients with mild to moderate forms of the disease.

However, in a bigger trial, patients taking other drugs alongside LMTX did not see the same benefit.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common causes of dementia, accounting for about 65% of cases.

Symptoms in the early stages include short-term memory loss, problems with language, depression and irritability.

As the disease progresses communication skills and longer-term memory deteriorates. Patients can become irrationally upset and aggressive and may be prone to wandering.

In its advanced stages patients become unable to carry out basic tasks and become entirely dependent on their carers.

For information about Alzheimer’s visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk .