The youngest dementia patient in Britain, a 24-year-old named Andre Yarham from Dereham, Norfolk, passed away shortly after Christmas. His family has made a generous decision to donate his brain to scientific research in the hopes of advancing the search for a cure for the disease.
Andre, who was believed to be one of the youngest individuals in the UK to develop dementia, started showing noticeable changes in behavior at the age of 22, such as slow movements and speech difficulties. He was later diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, and scans indicated that his brain had aged significantly, resembling that of a 70-year-old.
Following his transfer to a nursing home in the fall, Andre fell ill during the Christmas period due to an infection and passed away the day after Boxing Day. His mother, Sam Fairbairn, expressed her deep love for her son and highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the harsh realities of dementia. She shared that donating Andre’s brain for research was a decision made to potentially benefit other families dealing with this devastating disease.
Sam confirmed that Andre’s brain was provided to the NHS Adenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, a leading institution in neuroscience research. Frontotemporal dementia primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to severe effects on behavior and language.
While dementia typically affects older individuals, frontotemporal dementia often starts in younger adults, with most cases diagnosed in people aged 40 to 60. Andre’s condition was linked to a rare protein mutation, placing him among a small percentage of individuals who receive a dementia diagnosis under the age of 65.
Sam described the heart-wrenching experience of witnessing her son’s decline over a short period, from losing his speech to struggling with basic tasks like feeding himself. Despite the challenges, she emphasized Andre’s vibrant personality and shared plans to raise awareness and support for families affected by frontotemporal dementia.
As preparations are made for Andre’s funeral on January 27, his mother aims to initiate fundraising activities to raise awareness and provide assistance to those impacted by this particular form of dementia.