A 24-year-old man from Norfolk who died with dementia over Christmas has donated his brain to medical research. Andre Yarham, of Dereham, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) at the age of 22 after his mother noticed he was becoming forgetful and displaying inappropriate behaviour.
His mother, Samantha Fairbairn, said her son had chosen to leave his brain to science in a bid to help other families affected by what she called the 'cruel disease'. Speaking to the BBC, she said: 'If in the future that can help one family get a few more years with their loved ones, then that would be worth it.'
Ms Fairbairn first noticed changes in her son’s behaviour in November 2022. Scans revealed unusual brain shrinkage, and he was referred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where the diagnosis was confirmed. She said she felt 'a range of emotions, from anger, sadness – sadness for him', and wanted to raise awareness that dementia 'doesn’t discriminate against age'.
Mr Yarham moved into a care home in September last year and was in a wheelchair within weeks. He lost his speech a month before he died on 27 December but retained his personality and sense of humour until the end. His brain has now been donated to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for research.
Ms Fairbairn highlighted the lack of treatment options for dementia compared to cancer, saying: 'With dementia, there’s nothing.' She hopes her son’s donation will prevent other families from enduring the same suffering.
