Andre Yarham: Britain’s Youngest Dementia Patient Dies at 24, Brain Donated for Research

In a heart-wrenching turn of events that underscores the brutal, indiscriminate nature of neurodegenerative diseases, Andre Yarham, believed to be Britain’s youngest dementia patient, passed away on December 27, 2025, at the tender age of 24. His death, following a severe infection, brought to an end a two-year battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare and aggressive form of the condition.

Andre, from Dereham in Norfolk, was remembered by his mother, Sam Fairbairn, 49, as a “cheeky lad with a great sense of humour” and a “heart of gold.” His family’s profound grief is matched only by their unwavering resolve to turn their personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for others. In a selfless act, they have donated Andre’s brain to medical research, hoping his sacrifice might unlock crucial insights into this baffling illness.

The Unthinkable Diagnosis: A Brain Beyond Its Years

The first subtle signs emerged in 2022 when Andre began exhibiting forgetfulness. His mother recalled instances where he would have a blank facial expression or seem to ignore conversations, as if he hadn’t heard them. These seemingly innocuous changes soon escalated, leading to a series of medical consultations.

By 2023, an MRI scan delivered a devastating blow: Andre’s brain, despite his youth, showed the characteristics of a 70-year-old’s. Just a month before his 23rd birthday, he received the official diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, caused by a protein mutation. This placed Andre among a minuscule 0.1% of the UK population diagnosed with dementia under the age of 65, highlighting the extreme rarity of his condition at such a young age. Frontotemporal dementia itself is rare, affecting only about one in 20 people with a dementia diagnosis, and typically manifests between the ages of 45 and 65, making Andre’s case exceptionally unusual and tragic.

A Mother’s Unyielding Care Amidst Rapid Decline

The diagnosis marked the beginning of an incredibly challenging period for Andre and his family. Sam Fairbairn transitioned into a round-the-clock carer for her son, a role that demanded immense emotional and physical strength. She assisted him with basic daily tasks, from bathing and dressing to preparing his food and drink. The family, including Andre’s stepfather Alastair, 62, and his brother Tyler, 23, grappled with the “devastating blow” of watching Andre’s rapid decline.

In the final year of his life, Andre’s condition deteriorated dramatically. “His speech went totally. He was just making noises,” Sam recounted to Metro.co.uk. The last six months were particularly brutal, marked by a “very rapid decline.” Andre struggled with fundamental motor skills, finding it difficult to feed himself or even pick up a cup, becoming increasingly unsteady. The family faced the heart-wrenching decision to move him into a nursing home in September 2025. “He walked into his room, which we’d all decorated for him. Within a month, he was in a wheelchair and had to be hoisted,” his mother shared, painting a vivid picture of the relentless progression of the disease.

The Final Battle and a Legacy of Hope

In December 2025, Andre was hospitalized with an infection, which his mother described as “the start of a very rapid decline.” His awareness of his loved ones diminished, and tragically, he stopped eating and drinking. After three weeks in hospital, Andre was moved to Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice, where he spent just over a week before peacefully passing away.

Beyond his struggle, Andre was remembered as a vibrant young man who loved life. He was an avid wrestling fan, played rugby and football in school, and enjoyed Xbox games like FIFA and Call of Duty with his friends. He even held a job at Lotus Cars, a luxury car manufacturer in Norwich, though he had to leave after six months as he struggled to cope with the demands of the day, unable to articulate what was wrong.

The family’s decision to donate Andre’s brain to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for medical research is a testament to their desire to ensure his suffering was not in vain. “If in the future, if Andre has been able to help just one more family have a precious few more years with a loved one, that would mean the absolute world,” Sam said, her words echoing the profound hope for a cure or more effective treatments. She poignantly contrasted dementia with other diseases, telling The Nightly, “People with cancer, they can have radiotherapy, they can have chemotherapy, and people go into remission and can lead a fruitful, memorable life. With dementia, there’s nothing.”

Understanding Dementia: A Cruel Reality

Dementia is not a single disease but a general term describing a severe loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that interfere with daily life. As the Alzheimer’s Association explains, it encompasses various types, including Alzheimer’s, vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementia. Symptoms are progressive, starting slowly and worsening over time, and are caused by diseases that damage brain cells. While there isn’t one definitive test, doctors diagnose based on medical history, physical examination, lab tests, and behavioral changes. Current treatments can sometimes reduce cognitive and functional decline but offer no cure.

Sam Fairbairn urges anyone with concerns about a loved one’s memory to seek medical advice from their GP, emphasizing that tests are available. The outpouring of love and support for Andre’s journey has been a source of comfort for the family.

Andre Yarham’s tragic passing at such a young age starkly highlights the urgent need for increased awareness, understanding, and research into early-onset and rare forms of dementia. His family’s courageous decision to donate his brain to science provides a powerful, enduring legacy, transforming personal sorrow into a vital contribution to medical progress against a disease that continues to devastate lives without discrimination.