The London couple at the heart of ‘first-of-its-kind’ Alzheimer’s treatment

Denis with his wife Penny, who has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s (Picture: UCLH)

When Penny forgot about a lunch date to meet her daughter’s in-laws for the first time, her husband of 45-years knew it was time to go to the doctors.

Denis Horton, 75, was familiar with the signs of memory loss. His friend’s wife had developed dementia just five years earlier, so he was attuned to what could be put down to ageing, and what couldn’t.

Penny, 74, is a ‘voracious reader’ and attentive grandma to her three grandchildren.

She was organised and on top of everyone and everything in her life, having had a long career in the social services before her retirement in 2019.

But in 2019, she started to struggle to remember dates, directions in familiar areas and exciting plans.

She became confused while trave...