The United Kingdom’s youngest known dementia patient, Andre Yarham, has died at the age of 24, leaving behind a heartbreaking story that has shocked many and raised fresh awareness about rare forms of early-onset dementia.
Doctors revealed that medical scans showed Andre’s brain had deteriorated so severely that it resembled the brain of a 70-year-old, even though he was still in his early twenties. His condition progressed rapidly, affecting his speech, movement, and daily functioning in ways his family never imagined possible.
Andre died on December 27, 2025, after his health worsened due to an infection. He spent his final days in hospice care in Norfolk.
Andre received a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) just before his 23rd birthday. This type of dementia remains far less common than Alzheimer’s disease and usually affects people much older, often between 45 and 65.
FTD attacks the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas control key functions such as personality, emotions, decision-making, behaviour, and language. That is why the condition often shows up through noticeable changes in the way a person talks, reacts, and behaves.
In Andre’s case, the disease struck unusually early and moved frighteningly fast.
Andre’s symptoms reportedly began in late 2022. His family noticed changes that started small but became difficult to ignore. He became more forgetful, seemed slower in his speech, and struggled to stay engaged in conversations the way he used to.
As his condition worsened, doctors conducted an MRI scan, which confirmed severe brain shrinkage. The damage was far beyond what doctors would expect for someone his age.
After his diagnosis, Andre’s health declined quickly. Over time, he lost his ability to speak, and he became increasingly dependent on others for basic daily tasks.
Eventually, he could no longer walk on his own and required a wheelchair. His family stepped in as caregivers and supported him through the most difficult stages of the illness as he lost more independence.
His condition reached a point where he needed round-the-clock support, showing just how devastating dementia can be even in young adults.
In December 2025, Andre developed a serious infection that led to hospital admission. After about three weeks, doctors moved him to hospice care, where he died shortly after.
His death has deeply affected many, especially because dementia is still widely seen as an illness that only impacts the elderly.
In a powerful decision, Andre’s family chose to donate his brain for scientific research. They hope that studying his case will help researchers better understand early-onset frontotemporal dementia and bring future breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment.
Reference:
Mayo Clinic. Frontotemporal Dementia: Symptoms and Causes. Rochester, MN: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Updated December 23, 2025
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frontotemporal-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354737
(Rh/ARC)